The ciliated protozoa of the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea

The ciliated protozoa diversity found inside the digestive liquid of pitche r plant S. purpurea is described. The samples examined come from 9 countrie s belonging to 3 continents. A total of twenty six ciliates species have be en identified. The most common species were: Cyclidium glaucoma, Tetrahymen a pyriformis and species belonging to the genus Colpoda. These ciliate spec ies an found frequently in a variety of freshwater ecosystems such as holes in trees or pools of water that accumulate in the natural basins formed by the leaf rosettes of bromeliads. Results confirm the possible ubiquity and cosmopolitan nature of the ciliated protozoa. Finally, the functional role of ciliates in the pitcher plant is discussed.