What phylum is Alveolata?
parasitic protists
Introduction. Apicomplexa is a large phylum of parasitic protists belonging to the Alveolata group, together with ciliates and dinoflagellates. Several of its members are causative agents of human diseases.
Is Alveolata a kingdom?
Chromista
Alveolate/Kingdom
What characteristics do alveolates share?
Characteristics. The most notable shared characteristic is the presence of cortical (outer-region) alveoli (sacs). These are flattened vesicles (sacs) packed into a continuous layer just under the membrane and supporting it, typically forming a flexible pellicle (thin skin).
Is Plasmodium an Alveolate?
The alveolates are an ancient group of eukaryotes that occupy a diverse array of ecological niches, both free-living and parasitic. In addition, there are the apicomplexans, a largely parasitic lineage, including the major pathogens Plasmodium (the causative agent of malaria) and Toxoplasma (toxoplasmosis) [1].
Are all Alveolata photosynthetic?
The Alveolata consist of Myzozoa, Ciliates, and Colponemids. The ancestors of the alveolate group may have been photosynthetic. The ancestral alveolate probably possessed a plastid. Chromerids, apicomplexans, and peridinin dinoflagellates have retained this organelle.
Are Alveolata photosynthetic?
These alveolates are photosynthetic, able to manufacture their own food from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and sufficient dissolved nutrients. A final group of Alveolates are the Apicomplexa, a group of parasitic and disease-causing protists.
What are the three groups of Alveolata?
Alveolates: Dinoflagellates, Apicomplexans & Ciliates.
Are all alveolates parasitic?
The Alveolates are a very recently recognized group. Detailed studies of the internal structure of these protists demonstrates that they all share a system of sacs underneath their cell membranes. A final group of Alveolates are the Apicomplexa, a group of parasitic and disease-causing protists.
How do Alveolata move?
Kingdom Alveolata: Dinoflagellates Their cell surface is generally ridged with perpendicular grooves that house a pair of flagella (shown left). These flagella, the defining characteristic of this group, beat within their grooves and cause dinoflagellates to rotate as they move forward.
Where can dinoflagellates be found?
Dinoflagellates are single-cell organisms that can be found in streams, rivers, and freshwater ponds. 90% of all dinoflagellates are found living in the ocean. They are better referred to as algae and there are nearly 2000 known living species.
Who are the ancestors of the alveolate group?
The term Myzozoa is therefore a handy concept for tracking the history of the alveolate phylum. The ancestors of the alveolate group may have been photosynthetic. The ancestral alveolate probably possessed a plastid. Chromerids, apicomplexans, and peridinin dinoflagellates have retained this organelle.
What are the alveolates and what do they do?
The alveolates (meaning “with cavities”) are a group of protists, considered a major clade and superphylum within Eukarya, and are also called Alveolata. The most notable shared characteristic is the presence of cortical (outer-region) alveoli (sacs).
How are alveolate linages related to dinoflagellates?
In 2001, direct amplification of the rRNA gene in marine picoplankton samples revealed the presence of two novel alveolate linages, called group I and II. Group I has no cultivated relatives, while group II is related to the dinoflagellate parasite Amoebophrya, which was classified until now in the Syndiniales dinoflagellate order.
How are the alveolates related to the colponemids?
Alveolata comprises around 9 major and minor groups, which are very diverse in form, and are known to be related by various ultrastructural and genetic similarities: The Acavomonidia and Colponemidia were previously grouped together as colponemids, a taxon now split based on ultrastructural analysis.