Zoomastigota

views updated

Zoomastigota (Zoomastigina) A phylum of the Protoctista containing heterotrophic protozoa that can be parasitic or free-living. They possess one or more undulipodia (flagella) for locomotion. In some recent classifications this phylum is revised: members lacking mitochondria are placed in the Archaeprotista, while others, including Trypanosoma (the sleeping-sickness parasite) and Naegleria, which have mitochondria with flattened cristae, are placed in the Discomitochondria, together with the Euglenida.

More From encyclopedia.com