| Euglyphida | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Euglypha sp. | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Clade: | Rhizaria |
| Phylum: | Cercozoa |
| Class: | Imbricatea |
| Order: | Euglyphida Copeland, 1956 |
| Families[1] | |
Theeuglyphids are a prominent group offiloseamoebae that produce shells ortests that in most described species is reinforced bysiliceous scales, plates, and sometimes spines, but this reinforcement is absent in other species.[2]
These elements are created within the cell and then assembled on its surface in a more or less regular arrangement, giving the test a textured appearance. There is a single opening for the long slenderpseudopods, which capture food and pull the cell across the substrate.
Euglyphids are common in soils,marshes, and other organic-rich environments, feeding on tiny organisms such asbacteria. The test is generally 30–100 μm in length, although the cell only occupies part of this space. During reproduction a second shell is formed opposite the opening, so both daughter cells remain protected. Different genera and species are distinguished primarily by the form of the test.Euglypha andTrinema are the most common.
The euglyphids are traditionally grouped with other amoebae. However, genetic studies instead place them with various amoeboid andflagellate groups, forming an assemblage called theCercozoa. Their closest relatives are thethaumatomonads, flagellates that form similar siliceous tests.
Photosynthetic species are found in the generaPaulinella and Placocista. The photosynthetic abilities in Paulinella comes from an event when a cyanobacterium settled permanently within the cell. In Placocista, where a few species have colonies of symbioticChlorella living inside them, the relationship is less intimate. The photosynthetic Paulinella arephototrophic, and the photosynthetic Placocista aremixotrophic.[3][4][5]
Phylogeny based on Chatelain et al. 2013[6]
| Euglyphida |
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Order EuglyphidaCopeland 1956 emend. Cavalier-Smith 1997[7]
