Host associations and pollution responses of ciliate epibionts of macroinvertebrates in the six rivers in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

This study is the first documentation of ciliate epibiont-host associations in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled from six rivers in the Western Cape Province (Wolwekloof, Wit, Rooielskloof, Molenaars, Elandspad and Eerste) to determine epibiotic prevalence and to explore relationships between prevalence and host abundance. Ciliate morphology and 18S rDNA and ITS region sequence data were used to identify the different taxa present, and attachment preferences of epibiont colonies for host body part were determined. The response of ciliate epibionts to water pollution along a pollution gradient in the Eerste River was examined to assess their potential as bioindicators of water pollution.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Ukomadu, Nwamaka Mary-Immaculata

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Picker, Mike
• Roets, F

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9802

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9802