Euglenozoa
Euglena sp.
The Euglenozoa form a taxon of eukaryotic flagellated supporting excavata. The Euglenozoa were assigned to the flagellate protozoa earlier.
Features
Most Euglenozoa are between 15 and 40 microns long and thus relatively small, but some are up to 500 microns in size. As a key synapomorphy of Euglenozoa the occurrence of heteromorphic Paraxonemalstäbe is viewed parallel to the axoneme of the flagella. At the molecular level, the occurrence of unusual DNA block beta-D- glucosyl - hydroxymethyluracil ( " Base J" ), and the trans-splicing are characteristic features of the Euglenozoa.
System
Subgroups of Euglenozoa are:
- Euglenida
- Kinetoplastea
- Diplonemea
- Symbiontida
Dissemination and lifestyle
Representatives of Euglenozoa are spread worldwide and very diverse in their lifestyles. There are photoautotrophic, driving photosynthesis species, heterotrophic species, parasites and pathogens.