Abstract
This chapter aims in bringing background knowledge about ciliates in standing waters, highlighting ecological, and few taxonomic aspects. A special focus is set on the various morphological adaptations and diverse feeding modes of planktonic ciliates, making them integral components of the microbial food web. The chapter explains how their abundance is linked to seasonal dynamics in freshwaters. Useful hints are given on how to study them, including a bibliography for more detailed reading. The chapter ends up with ideas and suggestions for fascinating topics which are still open for future studies.
Posch, Thomas