Sagenista

Sagenista is a group of heterokonts which contains the bicosoecids.^[1] It also contains slime nets (Labyrinthulids^[2]).

It has a special organelle called a Bothrosome. It is usually found in a marine environments rich in algae and sea grass. It is capable of movement by use of this organelle.

They are generally decomposers.

Bothrosome

They are capable of excreting an extoplasmic net of filaments for cells to glide upon. These tiny filaments provide a network for cells to travel upon to soak up nutrients from the surrounding environment.

Uses of Sagenista and Labyrinthulomycota

They are cultivated for their active production of Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are used as an approved additive for animal feed.

Genera

• Labyrinthula: Possesses a bothrosome. It is being studied for its pathogenic nature in marine environments. It has killed an entire species of Sea grass as well as some species, such as a particular snail that relies on the grass.

• Caecitellus
  • Roughly spyhrical,
  • Only 2-7 meters (6.5-23') in diameter,
  • Has two flagellum,
  • Glide on filaments produced by bothrosome,
  • The two flagella provide a wrap around the organism to form a sort of exoskeleton,

• Cafeteria. Planktonic species which has only been found in salt water. The two flagellum propel the cell. Reproduce asexually through binary division. Feed on bacteria and small Eukaryotes.

Other information

Until recently Sagenista was labeled as a fungus. It produces asexually and sexually through the use of spores.

There is a debate about whether some species of Sagenista contains a photosynthetic pigment labeled chlorophyll C.

References

1. ^ "Browse taxonomic tree". Catalogue of Life : 2008 Annual Checklist. http://www.catalogueoflife.org/browse_taxa.php?path=0,3361,3683,3684,3685&selected_taxon=3685. 
2. ^ Sandra L. BALDAUF (2008). "An overview of the phylogeny and diversity of eukaryotes". Journal of Systematics and Evolution 46 (3): 263–273. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1002.2008.08060 (inactive 2009-03-13). http://www.plantsystematics.com/qikan/manage/wenzhang/jse08060.pdf 

Bibliography

• Gelenter, Wendy, and Stowell, Larry J. "Progress in understanding rapid blight of cool-season turf." PACE Turfgrass Research Institute Public Edition 9 (2003): 1-4.
• General Mycology. Dept. of Plant Biology, Washington State University.
• Introduction to the Sagenista. Museum of Paleontology, UC-Berkeley.
• Labyrinthulomycetes
• Labyrinthulomycota. Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia.
• Ralph, Peter J., and Short, Frederick T. "Impact of the wasting disease pathogen, Labyrinthula zosterae, on the photobiology of Zostera marina." Marine Ecology Progress Series 226 (2002): 265-271.
• Regan, Casie. Vampire Scientists Study Sea Grass Slime Mold in Florida Bay. National Park Service.