We have compiled a database of functional traits for two widespread and ecologically important groups of protists, Cercozoa and Endomyxa (Rhizaria). The functional traits of microorganisms are crucially important for interpreting results from environmental sequencing surveys. Linking morphological and ecological traits to environmental factors is common practice in studies involving micro- and macroorganisms, but is rarely applied to protists. Our database provides functional and ecologically significant traits linked to morphology, nutrition, locomotion and habitats. We discuss how the use of functional traits may help to unveil underlying ecosystem processes. This database is intended as a common reference for the molecular ecology community and will boost the understanding of ecosystem functions, especially those driven by biological interactions.

中文翻译：

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理解环境测序数据：原生动物组Cercozoa和Endomyxa（Rhizaria）的重要生态功能特征。

我们已经为两个广泛存在且具有生态学意义的重要原生生物群体（鹿尾藻和内生菌（根瘤菌））建立了一个功能性状数据库。微生物的功能特性对于解释环境测序调查的结果至关重要。在涉及微生物和大微生物的研究中，将形态和生态特征与环境因素联系起来是很常见的做法，但很少应用于原生生物。我们的数据库提供了与形态，营养，运动和栖息地相关的功能性和生态学重要特征。我们讨论功能特征的使用如何有助于揭示潜在的生态系统过程。该数据库旨在作为分子生态学界的共同参考，并会增进对生态系统功能的理解，