| ciliate diversity and distribution across an environmental and depth gradient in long island sound, usa. | the nature and extent of microbial biodiversity remain controversial with persistent debates over patterns of distributions (i.e. cosmopolitanism versus endemism) and the processes that structure these patterns (neutrality versus selection). we used culture-independent approaches to address these issues focusing on two groups of ciliates, the oligotrichia (spirotrichea) and choreotrichia (spirotrichea) across an environmental gradient. we assessed ssu rdna diversity in ciliate communities at six ... | 2010 | 20113332 |