What makes a Zoomastigophora a zooflagellate?

Also referred to as zooflagellates, Zoomastigophora are characterized by the presence of a whip-like flagella (one or more flagella) that they use for locomotion. Unlike members of the class phytomastigophora, these organisms do not contain chloroplast in their cytoplasm.

How big is a female Mastigophora in ML?

Female Austrorossia mastigophora (ca. 45 mm ML) from the east African coast by Ewald Rübsamen / Public domain, Wikipedia. Classified under the kingdom Protozoa, Mastigophora is one of the groups whose classification has proved controversial over the years.

How is Mastigophora classified in the kingdom Protozoa?

Classified under the kingdom Protozoa, Mastigophora is one of the groups whose classification has proved controversial over the years. For instance, while it has been ranked as a subphylum under the phylum Sarcomastigophora in some books, it’s described as a Superclass under the subphylum Sarcomastigophora in others.

How did the Sarcomastigophora get its name?

It gets its name from the combination of “Sarcodina” (which is an older term used for amoeboids) and “Mastigophora” (which is an older term for flagellates ). The characteristics of phylum sarcomastigophora are : (1) Nucleus is of one type except in the stages of certain foraminifera. (2) Locomotory organ either pseudopodia or flagella or both.