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restricted to the litter layers and the average size of individuals tends to decrease with
depth (Stout and Heal, 1967). Testacea tend to have simple and flattened tests with
a reduced pseudostome and a vestibule (Bonnet, 1975). Species living at the soil surface
tend to have the most flattened tests (Schönborn, 1968, Coûteaux, 1972).
The main factor limiting the size of protists is considered to be the pore-size
distribution (Stout and Heal, 1967). Pores must be water filled to allow the development
of protist trophozoïtes (active growing cells). In order that pores with an average diam-
eter of 30 µ m remain filled, the matric potential must be around ca. -0.01 MPa (pF 2)
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