Resistance of Paramecium Species (Ciliophora, Peniculia) to Salinity of Environment

Summary The salinity resistance and tolerance of 10 species from the genus Paramecium were investigated. The species investigated could be divided into groups in according with their resistance. These groups partly corresponded to the classification of the genus proposed earlier on the basis of morphological features. The ciliates from the“woodruffi” group were more resistant than paramecia from the “aurelia” group. P. bursaria and P. putrinum (the former “putrinum” group) have lower salinity resistance and tolerance than the species from two other groups. P. polycaryum has a salinity resistance and tolerance which corresponded to its “intermediate” position between the “aurelia” and the “woodruffi” groups.