First species of testate amoebae described from karstic caves in the world – Centropyxis bipilata

In the karstic caves of the Dinaric arc, scientists also conduct research on testate amoebae and other groups of Protista. These are very small organisms ranging from ten to a couple of hundred micrometers. They inhabit aquatic and terrestrial cave sediments including transitional habitats like hygropetric. During research in 18 caves in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 23 species of testate amoebae were identified. Species Centropyxis bipilata is the first species of testate amoebae described from karstic caves in the world. Its type locality is Topla peć (Golubić Žegarski) in Croatia and it was found in a total of 17 caves in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

More information on this newly described species and biodiversity and ecology of testate amoebae and other groups of Protista you can find here.