Sarcomastigophora
The phylum Sarcomastigophora belongs to the Protista or protoctista kingdom and it includes many unicellular or colonial, autotrophic, or heterotrophic organisms. It is characterized by flagellae, pseudopodia, or both.Taxonomy
It is divided into three subphyla: the Mastigophora, the Sarcodina and the Opalinata.
It is polyphyletic, and it is not a universally recognized classification. It places great significance upon method of locomotion in generating the taxonomy.
It can be described either as:
or in older classifications asCharacteristics
It gets its name from the combination of "Sarcodina" and "Mastigophora".
The characteristics of phylum sarcomastigophora are :
Nucleus is of one type except in the stages of certain foraminifera.
Locomotory organ either pseudopodia or flagella or both.
Reproduction asexual, but when sexually it is essentially by syngamy
Spore formation is absent.
Example : Amoeba, Euglena etc.
