Cercomonads
Cercomonas sp
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
(unranked):
SAR
(unranked):
Rhizaria
Phylum:
Cercozoa
Class:
Sarcomonadea
Order:
Cercomonadida

Poche, 1913 emend. Karpov et al. 2006
Genera

Cercomonads are small flagellates,[1] widespread in aqueous habitats and common in soils.[2]

Characteristics

The cells are generally around 10 μm in length, without any shell or covering. They produce filose pseudopods to capture bacteria, but do not use them for locomotion, which usually takes place by gliding along surfaces.

Most members have two flagella,[3] one directed forward and one trailing under the cell, inserted at right angles near its anterior. The nucleus is connected to the flagellar bases and accompanied by a characteristic paranuclear body.

Classification

Genetic studies place the cercomonads among the Cercozoa,[4] a diverse group of amoeboid and flagellate protozoans. They are divided into two families.

The classification of genera and species continues to undergo revision. Some genera have been merged, like Cercomonas and Cercobodo. Others like Helkesimastix, Sainouron and Cholamonas have been moved to Helkesida,[5] while the rest of the family Heteromitidae has been moved to Glissomonadida.[6]

References

  1. ^ Mylnikov, A.P.; Karpov, S.A. (2004). "Review of diversity and taxonomy of cercomonads" (PDF). Protistology. 3 (4): 201–217.
  2. ^ Karpov SA, Bass D, Mylnikov AP, Cavalier-Smith T (June 2006). "Molecular phylogeny of Cercomonadidae and kinetid patterns of Cercomonas and Eocercomonas gen. nov. (Cercomonadida, Cercozoa)". Protist. 157 (2): 125–58. doi:10.1016/j.protis.2006.01.001. PMID 16647880.
  3. ^ Bass, D.; Howe, A.; Mylnikov, A.; Vickerman, K.; Chao, E.; Edwards Smallbone, J.; Snell, J.; Cabral Jr, J.; Cavalier-Smith, T. (2009). "Phylogeny and Classification of Cercomonadida (Protozoa, Cercozoa): Cercomonas, Eocercomonas, Paracercomonas, and Cavernomonas gen. Nov". Protist. 160 (4): 483–521. doi:10.1016/j.protis.2009.01.004. PMID 19589724.
  4. ^ Bass D, Richards TA, Matthai L, Marsh V, Cavalier-Smith T (2007). "DNA evidence for global dispersal and probable endemicity of protozoa". BMC Evol. Biol. 7: 162. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-7-162. PMC 2194784. PMID 17854485.
  5. ^ Cavalier-Smith, T. (2018). "Kingdom Chromista and its eight phyla: a new synthesis emphasising periplastid protein targeting, cytoskeletal and periplastid evolution, and ancient divergences". Protoplasma. 255 (1): 297–357. doi:10.1007/s00709-017-1147-3. PMC 5756292. PMID 28875267.
  6. ^ Howe, A. T.; Bass, D.; Vickerman, K.; Chao, E. E.; Cavalier-Smith, T. (2009). "Phylogeny, taxonomy, and astounding genetic diversity of Glissomonadida ord. nov., the dominant gliding zooflagellates in soil (Protozoa: Cercozoa)". Protist. 160 (2): 159–189. doi:10.1016/j.protis.2008.11.007. PMID 19324594.
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