Affiliations: Department of Zoology, Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam-530 003,India. E-mal: [email protected]
Note: [] Present address: Department of Biology, Armstrong Atlantic State
University, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA. 31419-1997, USA
Abstract: A field study was conducted to evaluate the protozoan colonization
patterns on artificial substrates in relation to organic pollution within a
tropical harbour. The composition of protozoans and their succession rates on
artificial substrates(polyurethane foam units) were compared between two field
stations(A and B), and their presence were considered with regards to the
prevailing water quality conditions at the study sites. Altogether 44 genera of
flagellates and ciliates were documented. The common genera of flagellates and
ciliates were documented. The common genera of flagellates encountered included
Monas, Polytoma,and Chromalina. Among the ciliates, the predominant genera were
Tetrahymena, Vorticella, Lagynophyra, and Heloiphyra. These groups exhibited
characteristic successional patterns in relation to ambient water quality. At
Station A, located close to the sewage outfall, the water quality parameters
included poor Secchi-disc transparency(0.48m), dissolved oxygen of 1.93 mg/ml,
salinity of 18 psu, and temperature 31.3 ºC. Here,
thenanoflagellates(spumella)colonized first, followed by
microcilliate(Tetrahymena) and sessile form(Vorticella). Station B, located on
the seaward side, was characterized by relatively less-stressed environmental
conditions with transparency 1.85m and dissolved oxygen value of 6.04 mg/ml.
Salinity of 27.27 psu, and mean temperature of 30 ºC were recorded at "B".
At this station, the nanoflagellate Polytoma was first documented to colonize
on the substrate, followed by microcilliate(Lagynophra) and
suctorid(Heliophyra). These findings support the use of protozoans as indicator
species for evaluating the hazards posed by organic pollution to natural
estuarine communities.
