Parabasalia

• Members of the [[Metamonada]] [[phylum]] of the [[Excavata]]
• Flagellated anaerobes, living within anaerobic spaces within other animals
• Mixotricha Paradoxa
  • Found in the gut of termites
  • Cellulose is not digestable by most animals
  • Mixotricha Paradoxa can break down cellulose before the termite digests it
    • Mixotricha Paradoxa doesn’t produce cellulase
    • Unclear whether the termite actually digests the Mixotricha Paradoxa or lets it live
  • Uses own flagellum as rudders, while [[spirochetes]] power the movement
• Trichomonas Vaginalis
  • Agent of STD in humans