Seasonal change of protozoa and micrometazoa in a small pond with leaf litter supply

Protozoa and micrometazoa were observed in a small pond with leaf litter over a 2 year period. The total number of taxa observed in this pond was 83 protozoans and 30 micrometazoans, and the correspondence of each taxon and the habitats of surface water, leaf litter on the pond bottom and sedimented mud was noted. The microfauna in the litter on the pond bottom had a higher diversity than in the water or the sedimented mud. Patterns of seasonal change in the density of organisms — with one or two peaks in a year — were recognized in some taxa of protozoa and micrometazoa. Most peaks of bacterivorous protozoa in the leaf litter appeared in late autumn and spring. This phenomenon is considered to be closely related to the litter decomposition, because reduction of dissolved oxygen and/ or high bacterial density were observed in these two seasons. Nineteen species of protozoa from this pond were cultured in vitro with fallen leaves. From the results of the cultures and the observation of food vacuoles of protozoa in situ, part of the food web of the microfauna in the pond was estimated.