Explore: Soil Protozoa

Protozoa (sg.: protozoan or protozoon; alternative plural: protozoans) are a polyphyletic group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic

their life cycle within a soil profile, or at the soil-litter interface. These organisms include earthworms, nematodes, protozoa, fungi, bacteria, different

of fungi, 1500 lb of bacteria, 133 lb of protozoa and 890 lb of arthropods and algae. A few percent of the soil organic matter, with small residence time

within the soil. For example, protozoa can help maintain the quality of the soil by grazing on soil bacteria. Through their grazing, the protozoa can help

because they affect soil structure and fertility. Soil microorganisms can be classified as bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae and protozoa. Each of these

desiccation and predation by soil microfauna (bacteriophagous protozoa and nematodes). Microaggregates (20–250 μm) are ingested by soil fauna, and bacterial bodies

(1999). "Not plants or animals: a brief history of the origin of Kingdoms Protozoa, Protista and Protoctista" (PDF). International Microbiology. 2 (4): 207–221

described very briefly by Sandon in 1928 in his study of the different soil protozoa. The genus Dimastigella currently contains only two species, D. trypaniformis

of Glissomonadida ord. nov., The Dominant Gliding Zooflagellates in Soil (Protozoa: Cercozoa)". Protist. 160 (2): 159–189. doi:10.1016/j.protis.2008.11

by protozoa such as Phytomonas, a kinetoplastid. They are transmitted as durable zoospores that may be able to survive in a resting state in the soil for