Chloromonadida

Article By:

Lackey, James B. Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Last reviewed:2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.132000

An order of the class Phytamastigophorea, also known as the Chloromonadina. These poorly known flagellates are grass-green or colorless, somewhat flattened, and have two equal flagella, one anterior, the other trailing. All known genera are free-swimming, although Reckertia and Thaumatomastix form pseudopodia. They vary in size from 30 to 100 micrometers. Chromatophores are small disks, stigmas are lacking, and fat is the storage product. Trichocysts are found in three genera. The nucleus is large, with nucleoli and chromosomes visible during interphase. One or two anterior vacuoles are present and a reservoir seems to be present in Trentonia and Gonyostomum (see illustration). Life cycles are unknown, but longitudinal division occurs. Gonyostomum sometimes occurs as bloom in cedar swamps, and Vacuolaria is sometimes common there. The taxonomic position of the class is poorly defined. See also: Cilia and flagella; Phytamastigophorea; Protozoa

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