DANGER: Protozoa in the

Water!

Types of Protozoa

There are many types of Protozoa!

The three major types are:

Animal-like

Plant-like

Fungus-like

Some are harmful, some are not.

Giardia An animal-like Protist Contracted by

drinking unpurified water

Causes stomach-virus type symptoms

Comprehensible Diagram of Giardia lambila

Taken with SEM microscope

Giardia- The Most Common Harmful Protist

After your long day at the Ranch, it’s not okay to go fishing if the water is red! Dinoflagellata may cause fish to become poisonous if digested. Be especially aware of this in the Summer and Fall seasons.

Dinoflagellata!

People that eat these affected marine life may contract diseases such as:

Ciguatera andParalytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)

Ciguatera and PSP can induce vomitting, nausea, and other flu-like symptoms.

More on Dinoflagellata…

When the Dinoflagellata population increases rapidly in the warm summer months, they produce a neurotoxin which harms lots of marine life.

Malaria is Caused by Protozoa in the Plasmodium Genus!

While not in the water, visitors to the Ranch should beware of mosquitoes too!

Mosquitoes can transfer certain protozoa in the Plasmodium genus which cause Malaria.

Over 200 protozoa in the Plasmodium genus cause Malaria, however only 11 of those affect humans.

The other 189 affect all sorts of animals, from reptiles to birds and mammals.

There is no cure for Malaria! So beware!

Malaria can cause anemia, high fevers, shaking chills, and even jaundice!

Luckily, the mosquito that transfers it has been exterminated from North and South America.

Presentation by: Jessica SachsClass: BiologyTeacher: Ms. Nall

Additional Information