TERRICOLOUS TESTATE AMOEBAE IN FOREST-STEPPE ECOSYSTEMS
(ON THE DATA OF NATURAL RESERVE «VOLGA REGION FOREST-STEPPE»)

Mazei Yuri Alexandrovich, Doctor of biological sciences, professor, sub-department of zoology and ecology, Penza State University (Penza, 40 Krasnaya str.), yurimazei@mail.ru
Embulaeva Elena Aleksandrovna, Candidate of biological sciences, researcher, sub-department of zoology and ecology, Penza State University (Penza, 40 Krasnaya str.), embulaewa@mail.ru
Trulova Alisa Sergeevna, Postgraduate student, Penza State University (Penza, 40 Krasnaya str.), alisa.trulowa@yandex.ru

593.11

Background. Biocenoses on the border of forests and steppes are formed differently. We have analyzed the patterns of changes in the composition and community structure of terricolous testate amoebae in two territories, including all the stages of transition from steppes to forests in two basic versions.
Materials and methods. We have studied the transition ecotone line from xerophytic steppe phytocenoses through xeromesophytic meadows and margin (shrub) phytocenoses to mesophytic stunted and tall forests in Ostrovtsovskaya forest-steppe. In Kuncherovskaya steppe we have investigated the transition ecotone line of xerophytic psammophilous steppes through xeromesophytic meadow steppes and steppe coppice oak forests, mesophytic oak and aspen forests to hygrophyte osier bed.
Results. In Ostrovtsovskaya forest-steppe the rhizopod community is divided into three variants which are formed in the most contrasting phytocenoses – feather grass steppes (Cyclopyxis kahli, Centropyxis sylvatica, Euglypha strigosa as dominants), aspen forests (Centropyxis aerophila, Trinema lineare, Phryganella hemisphaerica), and in the ecotone margin (shrub) phytocenoses (Centropyxis aerophila sphagnicola, Plagiopyxis penardi). In Kuncherovskoy forest-steppe testate amoebae community is also divided into three variants corresponding to psammophilous steppe (Phryganella acropodia, Euglypha tuberculata, Trinema lineare as dominants), meadow steppe (Centropyxis sylvatica globulosa, Centropyxis aerophila sphagnicola, Trinema complanatum) and forest phytocenoses (Cyclopyxis kahli, Centro-pyxis sylvatica, Centropyxis aerophila sphagnicola).
Conclusions. The differentiation pattern of terricolous testate amoeba communities along the forest-steppe gradi-ent is specific in accordance with the nature of the vegetation. In Kuncherovskaya forest-steppe in the absence of a clearly defined ecotone phytocenosis (represented by steppe oak forests) the ecotone group of testate amoebae is also missing. In the Ostrovtsovskaya forest-steppe with well-formed ecotone shrub phytocenoses a specific community of shell rhizopods has been formed.

testate amoebae, community structure, forest-steppe.

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