Phagotrophic protists (protozoa) in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems: diversity, distribution, ecology, and best research practices

Abstract Phagotrophic protists (formerly protozoa) are a highly diverse, polyphyletic grouping of generally unicellular, heterotrophic eukaryotes that key regulators the soil microbiome. The biodiversity and ecology phagotrophic still largely uncharacterized, especially in Antarctic, which possesses some harshest terrestrial environments known potentially many physiologically unique scientifically interesting species. Antarctic systems also limited terms moisture, temperature, carbon, resulting reduced biological complexity can facilitate fine-tuned investigation drivers functioning microbial communities. To encourage future research into protist ecology, context broader communities, I review biodiversity, distribution, protists. Biodiversity appears to be structured by region taxonomic group, with Peninsula having highest diversity ciliates (Ciliophora) being most diverse group. However, richness estimates likely skewed disproportionate sampling (over half studies from peninsula), habitat type bias (predominately moss-associated soils), investigator (toward testate amoeba morphogroup), methodological approach cultivation morphological identification). remedy these biases, standardized methodology using both molecular identification increased emphasis on microflagellate naked morphogroups is needed. Additionally, should transition away survey dedicated ecological emphasize function, ecophysiology, endemicity, dispersal, impact abiotic beyond moisture temperature.