Epibiotic microorganisms associated with microcrustaceans in overlying water of Philippine paddy fields

Epibiotic microorganisms associated with microcrustaceans in the overlying water of Philippine paddy fields were examined by scanning electron microsc opy, and their associations were compared with those observed in Japanese p addy fields (Soil Sci, Plant Nutr,, 43,633-641, 651-664, 1997), Various typ es of microorganisms, including bacteria, protozoa, and algae, colonized mi crocrustaceans and their kinds and colonizing patterns varied depending on the kinds of microcrustaceans. Common associations between epibionts and re spective microcrustaceans were observed in the Philippines and in Japan: e, g,, rod-shaped bacteria on Cyclopidae and Cypridopsidae; no microorganisms on Simocephalus spp.