Representative protozoans. The phytoflagellate Gonyaulax is one of the dinoflagellates responsible for the occurrence of red tides. The zooflagellate Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of African sleeping sickness. The amoeba is one of the most common sarcodines. Other members of the subphylum Sarcodina, such as the radiolarians, heliozoans, and foraminiferans, usually possess protective coverings. The heliozoan Pinaciophora is shown covered with scales. The phylum Ciliophora, which includes the ciliated Tetrahymena and Vorticella, contains the greatest number of protozoan species but is the most homogeneous group. The malaria-causing Plasmodium is spread by the bite of a mosquito that injects infective spores (sporozoites) into the bloodstream.
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