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A newly revised classification of the protozoa
The Journal of Protozoology
|February 1, 1980
Summary
This revised classification details over 65,000 protozoa species, including parasitic and free-living forms. It incorporates new taxonomic data, primarily from electron microscopy, to update the field of protozoology.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Taxonomy
- Zoology
Context:
- The subkingdom Protozoa encompasses over 65,000 named species, with a significant portion being fossilized.
- Existing classifications were based on data from 1964, predating significant advancements in microscopic technology.
Purpose:
- To present a revised classification of the subkingdom Protozoa.
- To incorporate new taxonomic information, largely derived from electron microscopy.
- To provide diagnoses for seven accepted phyla and higher taxa, naming representative genera.
Summary:
- The classification recognizes seven phyla: SARCOMASTIGOPHORA, LABYRINTHOMORPHA, APICOMPLEXA, MICROSPORA, ASCETOSPORA, MYXOSPORA, and CILIOPHORA.
- It details the diversity within Protozoa, including sarcodines, flagellates, "Sporozoa," and ciliates, distinguishing between parasitic and free-living species.
- This updated scheme reflects a substantial revision from the 1964 classification, accounting for thousands of newly named species and taxonomic insights.
Impact:
- Provides a contemporary framework for protozoan taxonomy.
- Facilitates research and understanding for both specialists and non-specialists in protozoology.
- Establishes a foundation for future taxonomic studies in the field.
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