Wetland Ciliates (Protozoa: Ciliophora) and morphological differences

The flooded zones, which are under the influence of consequent aquatic and terrestrial conditions in different levels and continuously are a special habitat for ciliates. In this study, the morphological properties of ciliate species from the flooded zone were evaluated by using the investigations which were done in different habitats. During the species identification, for cultivation and isolation, non-flooded petri dish method was used; morphological characters were examined by live observation and impregnation methods with the help of DIC microscopy. Illustration of the live specimens was based on free sketches and recorded micrographs; measurements and micrographs were performed by IM 50 image manager system and Q-win measurement programmer. The results of the study showed that the body length-width ratio of the recorded species varied between 3:1-10:1, with a fusiform, long ellipsoidal or hook shape body and with high flexibility. In most of the species, ciliature is decreased or only organized on the ventral side to help movement. In certain environments, attaching on a substrate in changing conditions and crawling on that environment, increases the flattening and decreases the ciliature. Differences in body shape, dorsoventrally flattening, decrease on ciliature and flexibility provide to attach to soil particles and to move though the tiny water film easily. All these properties are the adaptations to the restriction effects of the soil particles and not to lose the movement ability by sudden changes on water amount.