Acta Scientiarum 22(2):355-363, 2000. ISSN 1415-6814. On the occurrence of testate amoebae (Protozoa, Rhizopoda) in Brazilian inland waters. I. Family Arcellidae

ABSTRACT. The purpose of this paper is to increase the knowledge on testate amoebae in Brazilian inland waters, specifically the family Arcellidae (Protozoa, Amoebozoa, Rhizopoda). In this paper the current occurrence and geographical distribution of this family in Brazil is discussed. A total of 26 infra-generic taxa was recorded, among them 24 taxa belong to the genus Arcella and 2 to Pyxidicula. Arcella vulgaris Ehrenberg, A. gibbosa Pénard, A. megastoma Pénard, A. dentata Ehrenberg, A. discoides Ehrenberg, A. brasiliensis Cunha and A. crenulata Deflandre were the species with greater number of records. Some taxonomic information is also provided. Key words: Testate amoebae, Arcellidae, Arcella, Pyxidicula, geographical distribution, Brazil. RESUMO. Ocorrência de tecamebas (Protozoa, Rhizopoda) em águas continentais brasileiras. I. Família Arcellidae. O objetivo desse trabalho é incrementar o conhecimento sobre as tecamebas em ambientes aquáticos continentais brasileiros, especificamente, a Família Arcellidae (Protozoa, Amoebozoa, Rhizopoda). Um total de 26 taxa infra-genéricos foi registrado, sendo 24 de Arcella e 2 de Pyxidicula. As espécies com maior número de registros são Arcella vulgaris Ehrenberg, A. gibbosa Pénard, A. megastoma Pénard, A. dentata Ehrenberg, A. discoides Ehrenberg, A. brasiliensis Cunha e A. crenulata Deflandre. Algumas informações taxonômicas são fornecidas