Protist diversity and phylogeny

Structural features of the amino acid sequences of Chromista nucleolin-like proteins

The paper describes the structural features of nucleolin-like proteins in Chromista, identifying conserved domains and motifs that classify them as nucleolin-like.

Validating the genus Pocheina (Acrasidae, Heterolobosea, Excavata) leads to the recognition of three major lineages within Acrasidae

The paper validates the genus Pocheina by showing that its SSU rRNA sequence was contaminated, leading to the recognition of three major lineages in Acrasidae.

Phylogeny and species delimitation of ciliates in the genus Spirostomum (Class, Heterotrichea) using single-cell transcriptomes

This study uses single-cell transcriptomes to reveal cryptic species and phylogenetic relationships in Spirostomum ciliates, identifying at least nine cryptic species.

Cell differentiation controls iron assimilation in a choanoflagellate

The paper shows that cell differentiation in choanoflagellates enables iron acquisition through a cytochrome b561 gene, linking cell type specialization to ecological iron cycling.

Morphological and Molecular Phylogenetic Characterization of Three New Marine Goniomonad Species

The paper describes three new marine goniomonad species using morphology and 18S rDNA phylogeny, highlighting the importance of periplast plate patterns in taxonomy.

The Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genomes of Amoebophrya sp. ex Karlodinium veneficum

This paper presents a new genome assembly for Amoebophrya sp. ex Karlodinium veneficum, revealing genomic diversity and contextual stop codon translation.

Phylogenomic analyses reveal that Panguiarchaeum is a clade of genome-reduced Asgard archaea within the Njordarchaeia

This study resolves the phylogenetic position of Njordarchaeales and Panguiarchaeales, placing them as a new class Njordarchaeia within Asgard archaea and identifying Panguiarchaeum as a metabolically reduced, potentially symbiotic lineage.

The cell biology and genome of Stentor pyriformis, a giant cell that embeds symbiotic algae in a microtubule meshwork

This paper describes the cell biology and genome of Stentor pyriformis, a mixotrophic ciliate, revealing unique features of its endosymbiotic relationship with Chlorella variabilis.

Draft genome of the marine Entamoeba species reveals reduction in the gene family repertoire associated with pathogenicity and lateral gene transfer for adaptation to the marine environment

The paper presents the genome and transcriptome of E. marina, revealing reduced pathogenicity-related genes and evidence of lateral gene transfer for marine adaptation.

Export dynamics of protists across the southern subtropical frontal zone reveal taxon-specific patterns

The paper examines protist export dynamics in subtropical and subantarctic waters, finding taxon-specific patterns in their loss during particle sinking and remineralisation.

The give and take in photosymbiosis unraveled by metabolomics of Radiolaria

This study uses metabolomics to analyze the metabolic interactions between Radiolaria and their symbiotic microalgae, revealing host and symbiont contributions to the holobiont's metabolism.

An early evolutionary stage of mutualistic endosymbiosis reveals a parasitic aspect of endosymbionts

This study investigates an early stage of mutualistic endosymbiosis between Tetrahymena and its algal endosymbiont, revealing condition-dependent parasitic aspects of the endosymbionts.

Experimental suppression of a keystone protist triggers mesopredator release and biotic homogenization in complex soil microbial communities

This study suppresses a low-abundance protist in soil microbial communities and observes mesopredator release and biotic homogenization, showing its keystone role.

Life Cycle and Morphogenetic Differentiation in Heteromorphic Cell Types of a Cosmopolitan Marine Microalga

The paper investigates the life cycle and morphogenetic differentiation of decoupled cells in O. huxleyi, showing they can revert to calcified form without viral pressure and exhibit distinct transcriptomic and ultrastructural features.

A novel open-source cultivation system helps establish the first full cycle chemosynthetic symbiosis model system involving the giant ciliate Zoothamnium niveum

This paper introduces an open-source cultivation system for Zoothamnium niveum and its sulfur-oxidizing symbionts, enabling long-term, stable growth and detailed observation of symbiosis development.

Glycerol improves the viability of a cryopreserved choanoflagellate

This study identifies glycerol as a more effective cryoprotective agent than DMSO for preserving Salpingoeca rosetta and its co-cultured bacteria, recommending 15% glycerol and liquid nitrogen for storage.

Phylogenomics of neglected flagellated protists supports a revised eukaryotic tree of life

This paper uses phylogenomic analyses of flagellated protists to revise the eukaryotic tree of life, supporting monophyly of Opimoda and inferring ancestral traits.

Transcriptome and evolutionary analysis of Pseudotrichomonas keilini, a free-living anaerobic eukaryote

This study sequenced the transcriptome of Pseudotrichomonas keilini, a free-living parabasalid, and compared its genome to parasitic relatives to understand evolutionary adaptations to anaerobic lifestyles.

Plastid translocon recycling in dinoflagellates demonstrates the portability of complex plastids between hosts

This study shows that dinoflagellates can acquire and utilize haptophyte-derived plastids, demonstrating that complex plastids can be transferred between hosts.

Evolutionary genomics of the emergence of brown algae as key components of coastal ecosystems

This study analyzes 60 brown algal genomes to identify genomic innovations and evolutionary patterns that enabled their adaptation to coastal ecosystems.

Immune-like glycan-sensing and horizontally-acquired glycan-processing orchestrate host control in a microbial endosymbiosis

This study identifies an immune-like glycan-sensing/processing network in Paramecium bursaria that regulates its algal endosymbionts through horizontal gene transfers.

Insights from single-strain and mixed culture experiments on the effects of heatwaves on freshwater flagellates

This study examines how heatwaves affect freshwater flagellates through single-strain and mixed culture experiments, showing temperature and density-dependent factors influence growth and community composition.

The Draparnaldia genome: alternative mechanisms for multicellularity and terrestrialization in green plants

This study sequenced the Draparnaldia genome and transcriptomes, revealing expanded gene families linked to multicellularity and terrestrial adaptations, and its ability to synthesize phytohormones used by land plants.

Two newly cultivated eukaryotrophic flagellates represent distinct anaerobic lineages

The paper describes two newly cultivated anaerobic eukaryotrophic flagellates, SSF and PG, representing distinct Rhizarian lineages adapted to anoxic conditions.

Recontextualizing Eukaryogenesis via Computational Analysis of RNA Processing in 16,449 Archaeal Genomes

The paper analyzes RNA processing proteins across 16,449 archaeal genomes to explore eukaryogenesis, finding transitional states and suggesting nuclear evolution was independent of mitochondria.

Rhizaria in the oligotrophic ocean exhibit clear temporal and vertical variability

This study quantifies Rhizaria abundance and vertical distribution over a year in the Sargasso Sea, showing taxonomic partitioning and environmental influences.

Extreme mitochondrial reduction in a novel group of free-living metamonads.

The paper investigates mitochondrial reduction in free-living metamonads, finding extreme reduction in some species, including loss of mitochondrial functions and pathways.

De novo genome sequence assembly of the RNAi-tractable endosymbiosis model system Paramecium bursaria 186b reveals factors shaping intron repertoire

The paper presents a de novo genome and transcriptome assembly of Paramecium bursaria 186b, revealing intron characteristics and evolutionary dynamics in ciliates.

Haplotype-aware multiomics unveils the regulatory basis of haplodiplontic life-cycle differentiation in a cosmopolitan marine alga

This study uses haplotype-aware multiomics to uncover the regulatory mechanisms behind life-cycle differentiation in Gephyrocapsa huxleyi.

Chimeric Origin of Eukaryotes from Asgard Archaea and Ancestral Giant Viruses

This study shows eukaryotic DNA and RNA polymerases originated from Asgard archaea and giant viruses, supporting a chimeric origin of eukaryotes.