Paramecium bursaria

Paramecium bursaria
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Chromalveolata
Superphylum:	Alveolata
Phylum:	Ciliophora
Class:	Oligohymenophorea
Order:	Peniculida
Family:	Parameciidae
Genus:	Paramecium
Species:	P. bursaria
Binomial name
Paramecium bursaria (Ehr., 1831)

Paramecium bursaria is a species of ciliate protozoan that has a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with green algae called Zoochlorella. The algae live inside the Paramecium in its cytoplasm and provide it with food, while the Paramecium provides the algae with movement and protection. P. bursaria is 80-150 μm long, with a wide oral groove, two contractile vacuoles, and a single micronucleus as well as a single macronucleus. P. bursaria is the only species of Paramecium that forms symbiotic relationships with algae, and it is often used in biology classrooms both as an example of a protozoan and also as an example of symbiosis.

External links

• Encyclopedia of life page
• Pictures of P. bursaria as well as a short description