Qualitative and quantitative analysis of fresh water protozoa from Godavari River

Protozoa are a diverse group of single-celled eukaryotes that play a crucial role in the mineralization of nutrients in soil, making them available for use by plants and other soil organisms. They are often informally referred to as “one-celled animals” due to their animal-like behaviors, such as motility and predation, and lack of a cell wall found in plants and many algae. Protozoa can be either free-living or parasitic, and they feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris. Reproduction in protozoa can be sexual or asexual, with most protozoa reproducing asexually through binary fission. Both isogamy and anisogamy occur in protozoa, with anisogamy being the more common form of sexual reproduction. Protozoa also play an important role in the food chain of aquatic environments. Many species of protozoa living in polluted water feed upon organic matter, which provides food for insect larvae and worms. This organic matter is then consumed by larger animals such as fish, lobster, and crabs, ultimately making its way into the human food chain. In the Godavari River, major protozoa species include Paramecium, Euglena, Coleps, and Bursaridium difficile.