Testate amoebae (Rhizopoda, Testacea) in the biogeocenoses of the Kivach reserve

Communities of testate amoebae (Rhizopoda, Testacea) were studied in soil biogeocenoses of the Kivach Reserve. 40 species of testofilosids belonging to 17 genera were found in five studied biotopes (motley grass-grass aspen forest, cranberry and lichen pine forest, horsetail-sphagnum and blueberry spruce forest). The structure of the protozoan population was considered in the humus layer. The greatest species and quantitative diversity of testofilosids was noted in pine biogeocenoses, it was represented by the following species: Assulina muscorum, Euglypha ciliata var. glabra, Euglypha laevis, Nebela tincta, Trigonopyxis minuta. Principal Component Analysis established two significant components: the first determines the species that are dominant and are found in many of the studied biotopes (Cyclopyxis eurystoma, C. eurystoma v. parvula, Schoenbornia humicola, Trinema complanatum, T. lineare), the second component determines testate amoebae community that is found in the soils of aspen and spruce biocenoses (Archerella flavum, Centropyxis aerophila, Centropyxis sylvatica, Cyclopyxis arcelloides, Cyclopyxis kahli, Cyclopyxis ambigua, Heleopera sylvatica, Plagiopyxis callida). Seasonal dynamics of activity was revealed for some species of testate amoebae: in summer, T. lineare and S. humicola testaceae occur in the mass with a peak of activity in mid-July, and Trigonopyxis minuta and Plagiopyxis labiata species increase their numbers in early autumn.