| Bikonts | |
|---|---|
| A radiolarian | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| (unranked) | Bikonta |
| Supergroups | |
A Bikont ("two flagella") is a eukaryotic cell with two flagella, as its name suggests. It is a division of eukaryotes.[1]
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Another shared trait of bikonts is the fusion of two genes into a single unit: the genes for thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) encode a single protein with two functions.[2]
The genes are separately translated in unikonts.
Some research suggests that a unikont (a eukaryotic cell with a single flagellum) was the ancestor of opisthokonts (Animals, Fungi, and related forms) and Amoebozoa, and a bikont was the ancestor of Archaeplastida (Plants and relatives), Excavata, Rhizaria, and Chromalveolata. Cavalier-Smith has suggested that Apusozoa, which are typically considered incertae sedis, are in fact bikonts.
Relationships within the bikonts are not yet clear. Cavalier-Smith has grouped the Excavata and Rhizaria into the Cabozoa and the Archaeplastida and Chromalveolata into the Corticata, but at least one other study has suggested that the Rhizaria and Chromalveolata form a clade.[3]
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