Island Protozoa Studies
Gaytha A. Langlois, Professor of Environmental Studies, Bryant College
Ongoing Studies of Island Protozoa - Narragansett Bay & Buzzards Bay
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                                      Typical New England Harbor Scene
Penikese Island Pond Studies
Located in Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts (near Cuttyhunk Island)
Small island, exposed to extreme weather conditions
Observations on 7 Freshwater or Brackish Ponds (1976)
Samples taken from shallow sediments (top 1 cm. sediment)
Phase Contrast Microscopy (live observations)
General Patterns
Predators seem to control protozoan populations
Selective forces may have favored encystment in protozoan species
Location and weather conditions may have encouraged highly adapted communites
Great variation among Penikese Island ponds
Microbial communities appear to be somewhat different from mainland ponds
(more studies needed to make comparisons)
Metazoan predators may have replaced protozoan predators in some ponds
Species diversity among protozoa appears to be related to pond volume

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Home Page
 Overview of Studies
Block Island Ponds
Penikese Island Ponds
Prudence Island Ponds
Conclusions
Prudence Island Oil Studies
 Links

Copyright: Gaytha A. Langlois
Bryant College, Smithfield, RI
October 2000
Questions or Comments: langlois@bryant.edu
Updated June 2001