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Samples are collected from intertidal sediments to a depth of about 1 cm from 1 square metre quadrat. To remove macrofauna, the samples are seived and then placed in plastic trays in 1 cm deep layers. The sediments are covered with lens tissue and No. 1 22 x 22mm coverslips are placed on the lens tissue.
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After 12 ~ 120 hours the coverslips are removed and flagellates are observed using an Axiophot microscope (Zeiss) equipped with photographic facilities as described by Patterson (1982) or using digital image capture facilities. The flagellates are also recorded on U-MATIC video tapes and records are also made with video prints. Specimens are also drawn. The samples are maintained at room temperature (~ 20 ºC) for 5 days.
This procedure seeks to standardise some of the extrinsic factors which may lead to incorrect conclusions about the biogeography of protists. Extrinsic factors are discussed in the Primer paper, cited below, and updated here.
