Diversity of gymnamoebae in grassland soil in southern Scotland

As part of a study of the natural history of protozoa at a grassland site at Sourhope, in Scotland, the potential for soil samples to support the growth of naked amoebae was assessed using an indirect dilution/culture method. Populations of up to 73,000 per gram dry weight of soil were detected, and a total of 48 putative species were distinguished using light microscopy. A further six putative species were detected when a different culturing method was employed. The wide range of families and genera represented included Acanthamoeba, Saccamoeba, Cochliopodium, Vexillifera, Korotnevella and the Vahlkampfiidae, and several new species were isolated. Naked amoebae of lens like, acanthopodial and dactylpodial morphotypes were detected most frequently, and were most widely distributed across the one hectare site.