Ecology of a heterotrichous ciliate Fabrea salina from salterns of Bombay Coast, India

Abstract

The abundance and population size structure of a heterotrichous ciliate @iFabrea salina@@, was studied in relation to hydrochemical and hydrobiological variables in three hypersaline ponds of Bombay, west coast of India There was a clear seasonal pattern in abundance of @iF salina@@, which appeared only during late post-monsoon and pre-monsoon and disappeared during the monsoon season Annual average density varied from 2.6 to 13.6 ml@u-1@@ Body size varied considerably from 100 to 780 ~km Maximum density was recorded in April and May coinciding with higher salinity (above 40 ppt) Population density was positively correlated with salinity, temperature and depth The phytoplankter, @iDunaliella@@ sp also showed a strong correlatin with @iF salina@@