The species diversity, seasonal dynamics and trophical relations of the pelagic ciliated protozoa in the selected rivers of Slovakia

In the period of March 1999 to December 1999 the species composition, feeding spectrum and seasonal dynamics of ciliated protozoa were studied with a monthly frequency. Samples were taken from the Slovak rivers Danube, Morava, Vah, Hron and Ipel'. From 90 samples 129 species of ciliated protozoa were identified, The average species number in the single localities was about 40 and the average number of individuals fluctuated between 101 and 155 per liter in the Vah and Morava rivers. We found four new species of Suctoria for the fauna of Slovakia. The feeding spectrum of ciliated protozoa depends on the type of locality. In the Danube river smaller bacteriovorous species, in the Morava and in smaller ones larger algivorous and detritovorous species are dominant. Seasonal dynamics of the Morava and the Vah rivers show spring and autumn maximum.