''Pygsuia'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

in the

clade In biology, a clade (), also known as a Monophyly, monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that is composed of a common ancestor and all of its descendants. Clades are the fundamental unit of cladistics, a modern approach t ...

Breviatea Breviatea, commonly known as breviate amoebae, are a group of free-living, amitochondriate protists with uncertain phylogenetic position. They are biflagellate, and can live in anaerobic (oxygen-free) environments. They are currently placed in ...

, which are basal

eukaryote The eukaryotes ( ) constitute the Domain (biology), domain of Eukaryota or Eukarya, organisms whose Cell (biology), cells have a membrane-bound cell nucleus, nucleus. All animals, plants, Fungus, fungi, seaweeds, and many unicellular organisms ...

s. This genus contains only one species, ''Pygsuia biforma'', which is known for its long

flagella A flagellum (; : flagella) (Latin for 'whip' or 'scourge') is a hair-like appendage that protrudes from certain plant and animal sperm cells, from fungal spores ( zoospores), and from a wide range of microorganisms to provide motility. Many pr ...

compared to other breviates.

Etymology

The

name, ''Pygsuia'', is derived from a part of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks sports cheer, which goes "''Wooo Pig Sooie''". This is because the species has a row of structures similar to those of actual razorbacks. "Pyg" in the genus name refers to pigs while also referencing the Latin term ''Pygmae'', as a nod to the organisms' small size. "Sui" in the genus name refers to the sound made by hog callers. As a consequence, the full genus name means "little pig" in

mock Latin Dog Latin, or cod Latin, is a phrase or jargon that imitates Latin, often by what is referred to as "translating" English words (or those of other languages) into Latin by conjugating or declining them, as if they were Latin words. Dog Latin ...

References

Obazoa Protists described in 2013 {{Eukaryote-stub