Gonyaulax catenella, from Halstead, 1965.
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Phylum Sarcomastigophora
Gonyaulax catenella, from Halstead, 1965. |
| The phylum Sarcomastigophora includes many abundant and ecologically important forms. All are either unicellular or colonial, and may be either autotrophic or heterotrophic . There are two main groups, the flagellates (subphylum Mastigophora ) and the amoebas (subphylum Sarcodina ). |
| Subphylum Mastigophora |
| There are about 8,500 living species of flagellates (Mastigophora ). Although there are several orders of marine flagellates , some of the better known and abundant are the dinoflagellates (order Dinoflagellida ). Gonyaulax catenella , (pictured above) is a dinoflagellate that often becomes so abundant that it forms red tides (there are several different species of dinoflagellates that cause red tides in different parts of the world). Most dinoflagellates are an important part of the phytoplankton , and contribute significantly to the food sources of filter feeding zooplankton and benthic organisms. Some species of dinoflagellates are bioluminescent (such as Noctiluca sp.), and in many marine waters are partly responsible for the phosphorescent "sparkles" that result when moving objects disturb the water. |
 | Noctiluca sp., a dinoflagellate, from Halstead, 1965. |
| Subphylum Sarcodina |
| There are about 13,500 living species of the subphylum Sarcodina (the amoebas ). They primarily use pseudopodia for locomotion, and many forms have some form of skeleton or "test". Two of the most ecologically (and geologically) important sarcodines are the Foraminifera and the Radiolaria . |
 | Globigerina sp., a Foraminiferan, from Bianco, 1904. |
| Most Foraminiferans have calcareous tests, and may be very abundant in the plankton or in the benthos . The calcareous tests deposited by foraminiferans over millions of years form a significant part of the ocean floor "ooze " in many areas. |
 | Radiolarian, from VanCleave, 1924. |
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Radiolarians
are also an important component of the phytoplankton
,
especially in warmer waters. They have also been abundant in the past, and like the Foraminifera
may form a significant part of the sediment "ooze
" on many ocean floors.
References: Barnes, 1980 Barnes, Calow, and Olive, 1993 Brusca & Brusca, 1990 Bianco, 1904 Halstead, 1965 Meglitsch & Schram, 1991 VanCleave, 1924 |
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