font settings

Font Size: Large | Normal | Small
Font Face: Verdana | Geneva | Georgia

Phaeista

(Subphylum)

Overview

[ Back to top ]

A taxonomic subphylum.

Photos

[ Back to top ]

Taxonomy

[ Back to top ]

The Subphylum Phaeista is a member of the Phylum Ochrophyta. Here is the complete "parentage" of Phaeista:

The Subphylum Phaeista is further organized into finer groupings including:

Classes

[ Back to top ]

Actinochrysophyceae

The axodines are a group of unicellular algae. They characteristically have a single emergent flagellum, which lacks the root structure found in related groups, and is extended into a wing-like form supported by an internal rod. They also have tentacles or axopods supported by triads of microtubules, arising from the surface of the nucleus. The most notable group is the silicoflagellates, marine plankton that form siliceous skeletons and are well-known as fossils. [more]

Chrysophyceae

The golden algae or chrysophytes are a large group of algae, found mostly in freshwater. Originally they were taken to include all such forms except the diatoms and multicellular brown algae, but since then they have been divided into several different groups based on pigmentation and cell structure. They are now usually restricted to a core group of closely related forms, distinguished primarily by the structure of the flagella in motile cells, also treated as an order Chromulinales. It is possible membership will be revised further as more species are studied in detail. They come in a variety of morphological types, originally treated as separate orders or families. [more]

Pelagophyceae

[more]

Phaeophyceae

The Phaeophyceae or brown algae, (singular: alga) is a large group of mostly multicellular algae, including many seaweeds of colder Northern Hemisphere waters. They play an important role in marine environments both as food, and for the habitats they form. For instance Macrocystis, a member of the Laminariales or kelps, may reach 60 m in length, and forms prominent underwater forests. Another example is Sargassum, which creates unique habitats in the tropical waters of the Sargasso Sea. This is one of the few areas where a large biomass of brown algae may be found in tropical waters. Many brown algae such as members of the order Fucales are commonly found along rocky seashores. Some members of the division are used as food for humans. [more]

Phaeothamniophyceae

[more]

Raphidophyceae

[more]

Synurophyceae

The synurids are a small group of algae, found mostly in freshwater, which are covered in silicate scales and spines. These are formed on the surface of the chloroplasts, of which there are usually two, but sometimes only one divided into two lobes. The cells have two heterokont flagella, inserted parallel to one another at the anterior, whose ultrastructure is a distinguishing characteristic of the group. Both asexual and isogamous sexual reproduction occur. [more]

Xanthophyceae

Yellow-green algae or xanthophytes are an important group of algae. Most live in freshwater, but some are found in marine and soil habitats. They vary from single-celled flagellates to simple colonial and filamentous forms. Unlike other heterokonts, their chloroplasts do not contain fucoxanthin, which accounts for their lighter color. They appear to be the closest relatives of the brown algae. [more]

At least 452 species and subspecies belong to the Class Xanthophyceae.

More info about the Class Xanthophyceae may be found here.

Sources

[ Back to top ]
Last Revised: November 18, 2008