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Euglenophyta Euglenophytes; Euglenophyte algae

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Higher taxa:  Life   Algae   IDnature guide: Groups_Algae We parsed the following live from the Web into this page. Such content is managed by its original site and not cached on Discover Life. Please send feedback and corrections directly to the source. See original regarding copyrights and terms of use. University of Western Cape, South Africa University of Western Cape, South Africa University of Western Cape, South Africa

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The Euglenophyta Most euglenophytes are unicellular flagellates with flagella that arise from a flask-shaped invagination called an ampulla (or reservoir). While there are usually two flagella, one is very short and doesn't usually protrude out of the ampulla. The flagella bear a row of delicate hairs on one side. There are usually numerous paramylon bodies present in the cells. The nucleus contains DNA in the form of condensed chromosomes that are visible even in interphase, and mitosis occurs within the confines of the nuclear membrane. Cells also usually have an eyespot that is not associated with a chloroplast.

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The Euglenophyta page 2 Characteristics of the Euglenophyta ( after South & Whittick 1987, Table 2.2) Main pigments Chlorophyll- a and Chlorophyll- b , ß Carotene, Xanthophylls (astaxanthan, antheraxanthan, diadinoxanthan, Neoxanthan); Chlorophyll- c is never present. Nuclear material Organised into membrane-bound nucleus Food reserves Paramylon (ß-1,3 glucan) Chloroplast features Chloroplast present, membrane 3-layered that is not connected with the endoplasmic reticulum,  the thylakoids are stacked in groups of three or more (lamellae), but no girdle lamellae chloroplast endoplasmic reticulum absent Cell wall Proteinaceous pellicle Flagella Usually two,one long and emergent, one short and not emergent, with delicate hairs on one side The table gives the remaining key characteristics of the Euglenophyta. The photosynthetic pigments are chlorophyll- a and chlorophyll- b , never chlorophyll- c . The chloroplast is surrounded by a 3-layered membrane, as is the case in the Dinophyta, and neither membrane is connected to the nucleus via endoplasmic reticulum. Thylakoids are grouped in threes as lamellae, but there is no girdle lamella. The cell wall consists of a proteinaceous pellicle, which is often flexible and allows for euglenoid movement..

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The Euglenophyta page 3 (images courtesy Dr. Morgan Vis-Chaisson) There are approximately 1000 species of euglenophytes in around 50 genera, most being found in fresh water. Many euglenoids are heterotrophic, adding to a substantial number of photosynthetic forms. Some species can produce resistant cysts, which enable them to survive unfavourable periods. Euglenophyta : Introduction to the Euglenoids