INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY - H. I. Shcherbak - 2008

PROTISTS - PROTISTA

PROTOZOA

SARCODINA

PHYLUM AMOEBOZOA

CLASS MYCETOZOA

Organisms that until recently were considered Fungi (division Myxomycota), which is reflected in the Latin name of the Class meaning "fungus-animals". Their life cycles include stages of an amoeba, a multinucleate plasmodium, and a pseudoplasmodium (an aggregation of amoebas without Cell Fusion). Spores are formed within fruiting bodies of diverse structures. Mitochondria possess tubular cristae.

These are predominantly saprobic forms inhabiting humus-rich soil, decaying plant, and animal remains. They feed via phagocytosis, engulfing organic debris, Bacteria, spores, and fungal hyphae with their pseudopodia. Mycetozoans play a significant role in the decomposition of organic matter, contributing to its mineralization. Over 400 species are known.

The class includes three subclasses.



Last update: 13/08/2026

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