protozoad
Protozoad is a term occasionally used in discussions of early eukaryote evolution to denote a proposed, informal grouping of primitive, protozoan-like unicellular organisms. In most modern classifications it is not recognized as a formal taxon, and its usage varies between authors.
The name combines protozoa, the traditional designation for single-celled, animal-like protists, with the suffix -ad to
Taxonomic status: Protozoad is not accepted by major authorities and is generally treated as obsolete or speculative.
Characteristics: When used, protozoad is described as harboring early-diverging, heterotrophic, unicellular eukaryotes that lack photosynthesis and
History: The term appeared in early to mid-20th century taxonomic debates about the origin of protozoa. As
See also: Protozoa, Protists, Eukaryota, Molecular phylogeny, Taxonomy.