Distribution of morphotypes naked amoebae in different regions of Ukraine

Amoebae species belonging to 12 morphotypes have been identified in Ukrainian soils: branched (Rhizamoeba sp. (1)), polytactic (Polychaos dubium Schaeffer, 1917, Deuteramoeba mycophaga Pussard, Alabouvette et Pons, 1980), monopodial (Saccamoeba stagnicola Page, 1974, Saccamoeba sp. (1)), striate (Thecamoeba striata Penard, 1890, Thecamoeba similis Greeff, 1891), rugose (Thecamoeba terricola Greeff,1866), lingulate (Stenamoeba stenopodia Smirnov et al., 2007), mayorellian (Mayorella cantabrigiensis Page, 1983, Mayorella vespertilioides Page, 1983, Mayorella viridis Leidy, 1874, Mayorella sp. (1)), dactylopodial (Korotnevella stella Schaeffer, 1926, Vexillifera bacillipedes Page, 1969), fan-shaped (Ripella platypodia Smirnov, Nassonova, Chao et Cavalier-Smith, 2007, Vannella lata Page, 1988, Vannella sp.), acanthopodial (Acanthamoeba sp.), lens-like (Cochliopodium actinophorum Auerbach, 1856), eruptive (Vahlkampfia avara Page, 1967, Vahlkampfia sp. (2), Willaertia magna De Jonckheere, Dive, Pussard & Vickerman, 1984). Amoebae of the lingulate, fan-shaped, acanthopodial, lens-like, and eruptive morphotypes are most common, and branched, polytactic, monopodial, rugose, and mayorellian morphotypes are the least common, with dactylopodial and striate morphotypes in the middle position in terms of frequency. The composition of morphotypes of naked amoebae between different regions of Ukraine is similar (Ics ranges from 0.50 to 0.99). According to the Chekanovsky-Serensen index, the lists of naked amoebae morphotypes form two clusters: the first one is formed by morphotypes of naked amoebae in Odessa region, the second one – in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Rivne, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytsky regions. The main factors that determine the composition of naked amoebae species of certain morphotypes in Ukrainian soils are temperature, acidity, and soil moisture.