Cryptista is a phylum of alga-like eukaryotes. It is most likely related to Archaeplastida, which includes plants and many algae, within the larger group Diaphoretickes.
Characteristic features of cryptomonad mtDNAs include large syntenic clusters resembling α-proteobacterial operons that encode bacteria-like rRNAs, tRNAs, and ribosomal protein genes. Additionally, they are an evolutionarily significant lineage found in mostly marine, glacial and freshwater environments.
Although it has sometimes placed along with Haptista in the subkingdom Hacrobia, within the kingdom Chromista, most recent studies have found that Hacrobia is not a clade. For example, in 2016, a broad phylogenomic study found that cryptists fall within the group Archaeplastida, while haptophytes are closely related to the SAR supergroup.
Morphology The ornamental structures of the cell membrane vary among cryptists. They also have varying flagellar appendages.
Taxonomy Based on studies done by Cavalier-Smith et al.
Phylum Cryptista Cavalier-Smith, 1989 emend. 2015 Subphylum Endohelia Cavalier-Smith, 2022 Class Endohelea Cavalier-Smith in Yabuki et al., 2012 emend. Cavalier-Smith, 2022 Subphylum Palpitia Cavalier-Smith in Cavalier-Smith & Chao, 2012 Class Palpitea Cavalier-Smith in Cavalier-Smith & Chao, 2012 Subphylum Rollomonadia Cavalier-Smith, 2013 Superclass Cryptomonada Cavalier-Smith, 2004 stat. n. 2015 Class Cryptophyceae Fritsch in West & Fritsch, 1927 Class Goniomonadea Cavalier-Smith, 1993 Superclass Leucocrypta Cavalier-Smith, 2004 stat. n. 2015 Class Leucocryptea Cavalier-Smith, 2004
Evolution Last common ancestor of cryptists is thought to have naked cell membrane, mitochondrion with flat cristae, bipartite hairs and no ejectisomes. It employed phagocytosis, and maybe also photosynthesis.
Phylogeny The phylogeny is based on studies done by Cavalier-Smith, Yazaki and others.
References
External links
Tree of Life: Hacrobia