Zoomastigophorea

Pronunciation: zō′ō-mas′ti-gō-fō′rē-ă

Definition: A class of flagellates (superclass Mastigophora) within the phylum Sarcomastigophora (flagellate and ameboid protozoans), of animalian as opposed to plantlike characteristics. Chromatophores are absent; one to many flagella are found, although they may be absent in ameboid forms; sexuality is known in some groups. It includes many human parasites such as the trypanosomes and trichomonads, as well as a number of other parasitic and symbiotic forms.

Synonym(s): Zoomastigina, Zoomastigophorasida

[zoo- + G. mastix, whip, + phoros, bearing]

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