Rhode Island Cilioprotist Micrograzer Survey (RICMS)

Welcome to the Rhode Island Cilioprotist Micrograzer Survey Web homepage. Under the direction of Prof. Linda A. Hufnagel, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics, at the University of Rhode Island (URI), we have established a computerized archive documenting information on the species and the distribution of the cilioprotist microorganisms in the state of Rhode Island.

The cilioprotists are a major component of the biota of salt ponds and salt marshes, where in the biological food chain they support fish and shellfish populations. Cilioprotists are micrograzers that feed on bacteria, phytoplankton and other microbes. They are also a food source to large aquatic and soil animals, small invertebrates such as copepods, rotifers and worms which are food source to fin-fish, shell-fish and large invertebrates.

The cilioprotists are an important part of the decompostion process, in sewage treatment plants, in controlling blooms of potentially deleterious bacteria and phytoplankton, and as a biological indicator of water quality. Our knowledge of their activities is therefore vital to our ability to control and monitor the health of aquatic and soil environments. There have been relatively few studies on the cilioprotists in Rhode Island. These have been limited to certain genera and locations. Some have provided few specific details about the species involved. There are no good baseline studies with which to compare the effects of environmental disasters, such as the recent oil spill off Matunuck Beach, in Charlestown, RI.

The aim of the survey is to accumulate a thorough and systematic archive of information about the cilioprotists of Rhode Island. The resulting archive will contain information about the biogeographical, behavioral, trophic, morphological and environmental properties of each species identified in Rhode Island. The collection of the information about each species will be done through the internet on this web site, and stored digitally, to facilitate the dessemination of the information to those who will need it.