Monoblastozoa

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[edit] Phylogenetic Information

Monoblastozoa was granted the title of phylum after the recognition that Mesozoa was too diverse to be a phylum unto itself.

[edit] Species

Only one species have been described, Salinella salvae. Discovered in 1982 by J. Frenzel in the saltpans of Argentina. Hasn't been found since ^[1]. More organised than Protozoa, but still very primitive multicellular organisms. Characterised by their distinct anterior/posterior parts and being densely ciliated, especially around "mouth" and "anus". They only have one layer of cells. They reproduce assexually by transverse fission of body. Although sexual reproduction was suspected, no evidence exists of it ^[2].