Species Richness and Abundance of Naked Amebae in the Rhizoplane of the Desert Plant Escontria chiotilla (Cactaceae)

ABSTRACT. The species richness and quantity of naked amebae were determined in the bulk soil and rhizoplane of the desert plant Escontria chiotilla in the Valley of Tehuacan, Mexico. Samples from bulk soil were taken at 10-cm and 30-cm depths in April, May and July, 1993, and from roots and soil at a 10-cm depth in June and July, 1994. Quantity of amebae obtained by Most Probable Number method increased in the rhizoplane by two orders of magnitude after rains. Likewise, the countable population of amebae doubled in numbers at both the 10- and 30-cm depths after rains. We isolated 163 strains from both root and soil environments, which were grouped into 40 bactivorous and/or generalist species belonging to 19 genera. Species richness showed no clear dominance of a particular genus in either bulk soil or root. Acanthamoeba (groups II and III, Pussard & Pons) and Vahlkampfia accounted for 12.5% and 15% of the total number of species, respectively. However, greater species richness was found in bulk soil than on root surfaces. We concluded that the diversity of naked amebae, taken as numbers of individuals (or as biomass) of each species and its evenness, is still needed to assess the ecological roles of Acanthamoeba and Vahlkampfia in the soil environment.