Euplotopsis muscicola (Kahl, 1932) Borror & Hill, 1995

(Figs 3 F, 6A–E; Table 3)

This species belongs among one of the most common soil ciliates worldwide (Foissner 1998; Foissner et al. 2002). In Slovakia, E. muscicola was preferentially reported in samples of soil, decaying wood mass, mosses and leaflitter at a variety of localities in Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise) (Tirjaková & Matis 1987); in the town of Bratislava (Andelová & Tirjaková 2000; Chrenková & Tirjaková 2000); in the Malé Karpaty Mts. (Tirjaková & Vďačný 2004; Holecová et al. 2005, 2012; Tirjaková 2005; Bartošová & Tirjaková 2005, 2008); in the Trnavská pahorkatina hills (Holecová et al. 2005); and in the Borská nížina lowland, Podunajská rovina (Danubian Upland), Považské podolie valley, and Strážovské vrchy Mts. (Bartošová & Tirjaková 2008). Further, E. muscicola was found in Sphagnum from the Rojkovské rašelinisko peatbog (Tirjaková 1992b). We recorded this species in mosses and leaf litter from various localities: Hviezdoslavov, Šamorín, Vyšný Skálnik, and Kopagrund (unpubl. observ.).

Apart from terrestrial habitats, this species was recorded also from limnetic biotopes of Slovakia: in the main stream and branches of the Danube (Matis 1961; Szentivány & Tirjaková 1994; Matis & Tirjaková 1995); in a thermal pond at a temperature of 38 ºC in the Bojnice Spa (Matis & Straková-Striešková 1991); in the riverside zone of the Danube (Tirjaková 1992a); in polluted streams in Slovenský kras (Slovak Krast) (Tirjaková 1997a); in an acidified spring area from the Malé Karpaty Mts. (Tirjaková 1997b; Tirjaková & Stloukal 2004); and in a tree hole of Acer campestre in the Malé Karpaty Mts. (Tirjaková & Vďačný 2005). We recorded E. muscicola in a pond from Šajdíkove Humence, Záhorie, W Slovakia (unpubl. observ.).