Crossword Genius

Father converted America to tiny animals (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

paramecia

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'to tiny animals' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'father converted america' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'converted' is an anagram indicator.
'america' with letters rearranged gives 'ramecia'.
'pa'+'ramecia'='PARAMECIA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for paramecia that I've seen is " Minuscule creatures".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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