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Related Concept Videos

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Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
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Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
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Protists are diverse eukaryotic microorganisms that lack the specialized tissues of plants and animals and the chitinous cell walls of fungi. Their early divergence within Eukarya resulted in structural, functional, and ecological diversity. They are classified into supergroups such as Archaeplastida, Excavata, Amoebozoa, Rhizaria, Alveolata, and Stramenopiles, determined through genetic analysis and structural similarities.Structural and Functional AdaptationsProtists have various adaptations...
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Diversity of Protists I01:15

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Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
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Rhizaria are a diverse group of unicellular protists characterized by their threadlike cytoplasmic extensions known as pseudopodia. These structures aid in both locomotion and feeding, giving Rhizaria an amoeboid appearance. Their amoeboid morphology once led to taxonomic confusion, but molecular phylogenetics has clarified their evolutionary placement and emphasized their shared use of pseudopodia despite divergent lineages.This clade comprises diverse lineages such as Chlorarachniophyta,...
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Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
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Related Experiment Video

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Genetic Determinism vs. Phenotypic Plasticity in Protist Morphology.

Matthieu Mulot1,2, Katarzyna Marcisz3,4, Lara Grandgirard1

  • 1Laboratory of Soil Biodiversity, University of Neuchatel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchatel, 2000, Switzerland.

The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
|February 24, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Morphology of testate amoebas like Hyalosphenia papilio is shaped by environment, not genetics. This finding challenges traditional taxonomy and highlights the need for more research on microbial eukaryotes.

Keywords:
Body sizeprotozoasoil moisturetestate amoebaewater table depth

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Taxonomy

Background:

  • Reliable taxonomy relies on understanding morphology-phylogeny links.
  • Protists, including testate amoebas, present challenges due to cryptic species.
  • Discriminant traits for protist taxonomy are often difficult to identify.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the roles of phylogeny and phenotypic plasticity in Hyalosphenia papilio morphology.
  • To assess how environmental variables influence the shape and pore number of H. papilio.
  • To evaluate the contribution of genetic inheritance versus environmental plasticity in shaping organismal form.

Main Methods:

  • Manipulative experiment varying water levels under controlled conditions.
  • Observational study of natural water level gradients.
  • Observational study across 37 European peatlands examining climate influences.
  • Analysis of H. papilio morphology (shape, pore number) in relation to environmental and geographic factors.

Main Results:

  • H. papilio morphology significantly correlated with environmental conditions (climate, water depth) and geography.
  • No significant relationship was found between H. papilio morphology and phylogeny.
  • Environmental factors and geography appear to be stronger drivers of morphology than genetic inheritance in this species.

Conclusions:

  • Morphological traits in H. papilio are largely shaped by phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental conditions.
  • Relying solely on morphology for taxonomy is insufficient, necessitating a reassessment of current taxonomic practices.
  • Increased taxonomic research on under-studied microbial eukaryotes is crucial for accurate diversity estimates and robust classification.