OVERVIEW OF PROTISTS OF SHKODRA LAKE

Protists biodiversity and biological water quality of Shkodra Lake, based on bioindicator species are presented in this survey. The list of Protists of Shkodra Lake include about 378 genera with 1374 species and intraspecific taxa; 1071of which belong to Protophyta and 257 to Protozoa. Most of the taxa belong to the Chromalveolata with 657 species and Archeoplastida with 483 ones. The bioindicator species of Cyanobacteria, Diatoms and Protozoa are used to assess the relative purity of Shkodra Lake waters. Regarding to the trophy and saproby valences of the bioindicator species, Shkodra Lake has a good situation for its life. A big difference is observed in composition of species and abundance among different sampling points of the lake. The largest number of species is found in June and July, on the lake shores, while the smallest one is found in February, in the plankton of open waters. The heterogeneity of Shkodra Lake needs a long-term monitoring, in order to get a wider view of ecologic and trophic conditions of the lake waters. Data about the complexity of Protists habitats and microhabitats and their ecological role, especially in food networks and sustainable development of Shkodra Lake, are also provided.