Classification of Protozoa - Biological Classification, Biology, Class 11 - Notes - Class 11

Classification of Protozoa

Class 1. Flagellata or Mastigophora
(1) The body is covered by a thin pellicle or cuticle.

(2) The locomotory organs are flagella.

(3) The contractile vacuoles are present in fresh water forms with accessory vacuoles.

(4) Chloroplasts are found in some forms.

(5) They may be free living or parasitic.

(6)The class flagellata has been divided into eight orders. They are as Chrysomonadina, Cryptomonadina, Euglenoidea,  Phytomonadina, Dinoflagellata, Cystoflagellata, Protomonadina and Polymastigina

(7) Examples: Chrysamoeba, Cryptomonas, Euglena, Volvox, Chlamydomonas, Noctiluca, Mastigamoeba, Monal, Bado, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Proterospongia etc.,

Class 2. Rhizopoda

(1) There is no definite cell wall or pellicle

(2) There is no definite shape

(3) The locomotory organs are pseudopodia

(4) There is no permanent mouth or anus.

(5) The contractile vacuoles are present in the fresh water forms.

(6) The rhizopoda has been divided into five orders. They are as Lobosa, Filosa, Foraminifera, Heliozoa and Radiolaria.

(7) Examples: Amoeba, E. histolytica, E.coli etc.

Class 3. Ciliophora

(1) The body is covered by thin pellicle

(2) They have a fixed permanent shape

(3) The locomotory organs are cilia

(4) Tentacles are present

(5) The class ciliophora is divided into two sub-classes, namely Ciliata and Suctoria.

Sub-class 1. Ciliata

 (1) Cilia are present throughout life.

(2) Tentacles are absent

(3) Mouth and cytopharynx are usually present. Cytopyge is a temporary anal aperture.

(4) Contractile vacuoles are present.

(5) Trichocysts, organs of offense and defence are present in certain forms.

(6) Examples: Paramecium, Stylonchia Vorticella, etc., Paramecium is filter feeder.    

Sub-class 2. Suctoria

(1) Cilia are present only in the young conditions and adults are devoid of them.

(2) Tentacles are present in the adult

(3) One to many contractile vaculoes are present

(4) Examples: Acineta, Dendrocometes, Dendrosoma, etc.,

Class 4. Sporozoa

(1) They are exclusively endoparasitic

(2) The body is covered by pellicle.

(3) Reproduction takes place by spore formation

(4) The class is divided into two sub-classes, namely, Telosporidia and Neosporidia