Odd couples from Panorama meet: ciao to a basic life form (9)

I believe the answer is:

paramecia

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'life form' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

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 Guardian.

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