TY  - JOUR
A1  - Marcisz, Katarzyna
A1  - Jassey, Vincent E. J.
A1  - Kosakyan, Anush
A1  - Krashevska, Valentyna
A1  - Lahr, Daniel J. G.
A1  - Lara, Enrique
A1  - Lamentowicz, Lukasz
A1  - Lamentowicz, Mariusz
A1  - Macumber, Andrew
A1  - Mazei, Yuri
A1  - Mitchell, Edward A. D.
A1  - Nasser, Nawaf A.
A1  - Patterson, R. Timothy
A1  - Roe, Helen M.
A1  - Singer, David
A1  - Tsyganov, Andrey N.
A1  - Fournier, Bertrand
T1  - Testate amoeba functional traits and their use in paleoecology
JF  - Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
N2  - This review provides a synthesis of current knowledge on the morphological and functional traits of testate amoebae, a polyphyletic group of protists commonly used as proxies of past hydrological changes in paleoecological investigations from peatland, lake sediment and soil archives. A trait-based approach to understanding testate amoebae ecology and paleoecology has gained in popularity in recent years, with research showing that morphological characteristics provide complementary information to the commonly used environmental inferences based on testate amoeba (morpho-)species data. We provide a broad overview of testate amoeba morphological and functional traits and trait-environment relationships in the context of ecology, evolution, genetics, biogeography, and paleoecology. As examples we report upon previous ecological and paleoecological studies that used trait-based approaches, and describe key testate amoebae traits that can be used to improve the interpretation of environmental studies. We also highlight knowledge gaps and speculate on potential future directions for the application of trait-based approaches in testate amoeba research.
KW  - protists
KW  - functional traits
KW  - morphological traits
KW  - ecology
KW  - peatlands
KW  - lakes
KW  - soils
KW  - trait-based approaches
Y1  - 2020
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.575966
SN  - 2296-701X
VL  - 8
PB  - Frontiers Media
CY  - Lausanne
ER  -