Dispersal mechanisms of protists

Protists are ubiquitous organisms, they are main particles in foodchains, but they also cause many economical problems in areas of healthcare, agriculture and in food industry. Their biogeography is discussed in many academical debates and even that our methods are relatively advanced, there is still not only one accepted theory but two of them. However it is true that the moderate endemicity model is probably the correct one. This text sums up our existing knowledge in the field of protist distribution and their dispersal over whole planet, in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Mechanisms of dispersal are very coplicated and complex problematics. The resting stages are also important for successful dispersal, not only as a reaction to unfavourable conditions. Dispersal is affected by climatic conditions in investigated area and thus it is not easy to predict the patterns of dispersal. Human influence is getting more important on biogeography of microorganisms, including the history. This topic is becoming more popular these days as it becomes obvious it is importnat to know the patterns of dispersal. There are also adaptations and tolerances discussed. Keywords: environmental factors, dispersal, distribution, endemic specie