Sorry to post this on the net; the return address failed
To: infosxx at ulb.ac.be
From: bowser <bowser at wadsworth.org>
Subject: Protista in abyssal, etc.
Larger agglutinated foraminifera often dominate bathyal and abyssal
settings, as well as shallow waters in polar regions. We work on one such
foraminiferal assemblage in Explorers Cove, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. These
"giant" protists are increasingly thought to play an important role in
benthic nutrient cycling, and some of the ones we work on are predators of
small invertebrates and the juveniles of larger inverts. This raises the
possibility that predation pressure by these protists may structure benthic
communities. (Hopefully this idea can be te$ted given $ufficient grant
funding).
Since the deep sea is Earth's most extensive habitat, the larger
agglutinated forams might turn out to be among the most abundant/important
organisms on the planet -- protist or otherwise. (Excluding humans, of course.)
If you need further information I'd be happy to supply some references or
some images of our Antarctic beasts.
Best of luck,
Sam
--------------------------------
Sam Bowser, Ph.D.
Wadsworth Center
NY State Department of Health
Albany, NY 12201-0509
(518) 473-3856
bowser at wadsworth.ph.albany.edu
--------------------------------
Sam Bowser, Ph.D.
Wadsworth Center
NY State Department of Health
Albany, NY 12201-0509
(518) 473-3856
bowser at wadsworth.ph.albany.edu
