Euglenozoa: taxonomy, diversity and ecology, symbioses and viruses

Euglenozoa is a species-rich group of protists, which have extremely diverse lifestyles and a range of features that distinguish them from other eukaryotes. They are composed of free-living and parasitic kinetoplastids, mostly free-living diplonemids, heterotrophic and photosynthetic euglenids, as well as deep-sea symbiontids. Although they form a well-supported monophyletic group, these morphologically rather distinct groups are almost never treated together in a comparative manner, as attempted here. We present an updated taxonomy, complemented by photos of representative species, with notes on diversity, distribution and biology of euglenozoans. For kinetoplastids, we propose a significantly modified taxonomy that reflects the latest findings. Finally, we summarize what is known about viruses infecting euglenozoans, as well as their relationships with ecto- and endosymbiotic bacteria.

Automated summary

Euglenozoa is a species-rich group of protists with diverse lifestyles, including free-living and parasitic kinetoplastids, diplonemids, euglenids, and symbiontids. The article presents updated taxonomy and photos of representative species, while summarizing the diversity, distribution, biology, and relationships with viruses and bacteria among euglenozoans.