1. What are Protozoa? proto = first zoa = animals single-celled eukaryotic organisms

2. Combined Protein Consensus Tree From S.L. Baldauf (1999) Am. Nat. 154:S178

3. What are Protozoa? proto = first zoa = plant/animal? Unicellular eukaryotes protozoa algae yeast/fungi slime molds

4. m = micron = 10 -6 meters (1/1000 mm)

5. Protozoan Life Styles absorb solutes (osmotrophy) ingest particulates (phagotrophy) -predation on bacteria or other protozoa -pinocytosis (fluid uptake) photosynthetic (autotrophy) combinations (heterotrophy) free-living vs. symbiosis

7. Protozoan Reproduction

15. >200,000 named species ~10,000 parasites ~20 human pathogens Protozoan Diversity

16. Protozoan Motility

17. Protozoan Taxonomy confused, controversial and constantly changing originally based on motility (light microscope) ultrastructural (electron microscope) criteria used since 1960s molecular data can help with evolutionary relationships monophyletic groups descended from common ancestor kinetoplastids, apicomplexa, ciliates polyphyletic groups multiple ancestors amebas and flagellates Genus + species

18. What are Protozoa? unicellular eukaryote ? extremely diverse But not simple!