Sagenista is a group of

heterokont Heterokonts are a group of protists (formally referred to as Heterokonta, Heterokontae or Heterokontophyta). The group is a major line of eukaryotes. Most are algae, ranging from the giant multicellular kelp to the unicellular diatoms, which a ...

s containing the

labyrinthulid The Labyrinthulomycetes (ICBN) or Labyrinthulea (ICZN) are a class of protists that produce a network of filaments or tubes, which serve as tracks for the cells to glide along and absorb nutrients for them. The two main groups are the labyrint ...

s and Eogyrea, a class of yet uncultured

protist A protist () is any eukaryotic organism (that is, an organism whose cells contain a cell nucleus) that is not an animal, plant, or fungus. While it is likely that protists share a common ancestor (the last eukaryotic common ancestor), the exc ...

s. Originally, it contained the

Labyrinthulid The Labyrinthulomycetes (ICBN) or Labyrinthulea (ICZN) are a class of protists that produce a network of filaments or tubes, which serve as tracks for the cells to glide along and absorb nutrients for them. The two main groups are the labyrint ...

s and

bicosoecid Bicosoecida (ICZN) or Bicosoecales/Bicoecea (ICBN) is an order of Bikosea, a small group of unicellular flagellates, included among the heterokonts. Informally known as bicosoecids, they are a small group of unicellular flagellates. The cells ar ...

s. However at present the

s have been removed, and Eogyrea were added, in order to make the group monophyletic. Some have a special organelle called a bothrosome (or sagenogenetosome). It is usually found in a marine environments rich in algae and sea grass. It is capable of movement by use of this organelle. They are generally decomposers. They are cultivated for their active production of

Omega-3 fatty acid Omega−3 fatty acids, also called Omega-3 oils, ω−3 fatty acids or ''n''−3 fatty acids, are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) characterized by the presence of a double bond, three atoms away from the terminal methyl group in their chem ...

s. These acids are used as an approved additive for animal feed. There is a debate about whether some species of Sagenista contains a photosynthetic pigment labeled chlorophyll C.

Bothrosome

They are capable of excreting an extoplasmic net of filaments for cells to glide upon. These tiny filaments provide a network for cells to travel upon to soak up nutrients from the surrounding environment.

Examples

*'' Labyrinthula'': Possesses a bothrosome. It is being studied for its pathogenic nature in marine environments. It has killed an entire species of Sea grass as well as some species, such as a particular snail that relies on the grass.

References

Bibliography

* *''General Mycology''. Dept. of Plant Biology, Washington State University. *''Introduction to the Sagenista.'' Museum of Paleontology, UC-Berkeley. *''Labyrinthulomycota''. Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia. * *Regan, Casie. ''Vampire Scientists Study Sea Grass Slime Mold in Florida Bay.'' National Park Service. {{Taxonbar, from=Q2368699 Bigyra SAR supergroup unranked clades