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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>[[File:Cercomonas_sp.jpg|Cercomonas sp|thumb]] '''Cercozoa''' is a large group of [[eukaryotic]] organisms within the [[superkingdom]] [[Eukaryota]]. They are characterized by their diverse morphology and lifestyles, including both free-living and parasitic species. The members of this group are primarily [[amoeboid]] and [[flagellate]] organisms, which means they can either move using pseudopods (false feet) or flagella (whip-like structures). Cercozoa are found in a wide range of habitats, from marine and freshwater environments to soil and even within other organisms as parasites.<br />
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==Classification==<br />
Cercozoa falls under the domain [[Eukaryota]], which encompasses all organisms with complex cells containing a nucleus. Within Eukaryota, Cercozoa is part of the [[SAR supergroup]], a clade that also includes [[Stramenopiles]], [[Alveolata]], and [[Rhizaria]]; the latter is the group to which Cercozoa belongs. The classification of Cercozoa has undergone significant changes over the years due to advances in molecular phylogenetics, which have helped clarify the relationships between different groups within this diverse assemblage.<br />
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==Characteristics==<br />
Cercozoa exhibit a wide range of forms and lifestyles. Many are [[amoeba|amoeboid]], changing shape as they move, while others are flagellated. Some species form elaborate shells or skeletons, often made of silica. They can be [[autotrophic]], [[heterotrophic]], or mixotrophic, depending on the species. Autotrophic Cercozoa possess [[chloroplasts]] for photosynthesis, often acquired through secondary endosymbiosis, whereas heterotrophic species feed on bacteria, other protists, and organic detritus.<br />
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==Ecology==<br />
Cercozoa play significant roles in various ecosystems. They are important in the soil as decomposers, breaking down dead organic material, and in aquatic environments, they are both primary producers (in the case of autotrophic species) and consumers in the microbial food web. Some cercozoans are also known to form symbiotic relationships with plants, such as those in the genus ''[[Glomus]]'', which are important in nutrient cycling and soil health.<br />
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==Research and Importance==<br />
Research into Cercozoa has expanded our understanding of eukaryotic diversity and evolution. Studies on their genetics and cell biology have provided insights into the complexity of life and the evolutionary history of eukaryotes. Furthermore, understanding the ecological roles of cercozoans can help in the conservation of ecosystems and in the development of sustainable agricultural practices.<br />
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==See Also==<br />
* [[Protist]]<br />
* [[Amoeba]]<br />
* [[Flagellate]]<br />
* [[Symbiosis]]<br />
* [[Eukaryotic cell]]<br />
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[[Category:Eukaryotes]]<br />
[[Category:Protists]]<br />
[[Category:Cercozoa]]<br />
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