EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The most abundant groups of soil microfauna (<100 m body width) are animallike protists, nematodes, and rotifers.

Detailed explanation-2: -By far, the most numerous microbes in soil are bacteria, which have just one cell. Also abundant are fungi, which produce long, slender strings of cells called filaments, or hyphae. The actinomycetes are in-between these two organisms. They are advanced bacteria that can form branches like fungi.

Detailed explanation-3: -microfauna, small, often microscopic animals, especially those inhabiting the soil, an organ, or other localized habitat. Single-celled protozoans, small nematodes, small unsegmented worms, and tardigrades (eight-legged arthropods) are the most common components of microfauna.

Detailed explanation-4: -Microfauna are the smallest of the soil fauna and are less than 0.1 mm in size, and so need a microscope to be seen. The two most important soil creatures are the nematodes and the protozoa. Nematodes occur widely in soils, particularly in sandy soils.

Detailed explanation-5: -Soil protozoa include naked amebae, testate amebae, flagellates, ciliates, microsporidia, and sporozoans. So far, about 1600 species have been recorded from soil, many of which have special adaptations to the soil environment. Very likely, the true number of soil protozoa is much higher, that is 4000 or more species.