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Alveolates

Mitchell L. Sogin and David J. Patterson
Scanning electron micrograph of hypotrich StylonychiaCeratium dinoflagellatemicrograph depicting a red blood cell containing four Plasmodium vivax rings, next to a growing trophozoite
taxon links [down<--]Eukaryotes Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Interpreting the tree
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Containing group: Eukaryotes

Introduction

This group of protists was hypothesized only relatively recently, and confirmed by molecular studies by Gajadhar et al. (1991). The taxon contains three major taxa with very different adaptive strategies - the flagellated dinoflagellates, the almost completely parasitic apicomplexa, and the ciliated ciliates. The relationships among the major lines of alveolates is still to be resolved as is the sister group relationship of this territory.

Characteristics

Tubulocristate protists with the cell surface underlain by a series of abutting sacs or alveoli - or derived from such organisms.

References

Gajadhar, A.A., Marquardt, W.C., Hall, R., Gunderson, J., Carmona, E.V.A. and Sogin, M.L. (1991): Ribosomal RNA sequences of Sarcocystis muris, Theileria annulata, and Crypthecodinium cohnii.reveal evolutionary relationships among apicomplexans, dinoflagellates, and ciliates. Mol. and Biochem. Parasit. 45:147-154.

Harper, J. T. and P. J. Keeling. 2003. Nucleus-encoded, plastid-targeted glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) indicates a single origin for chromalveolate plastids. Mol. Biol. Evol. 20:1730-1735.

Leander, B. S. and P. J. Keeling. 2003. Morphostasis in alveolate evolution. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 18(8):395-402.

Leander, B. S. and P. J. Keeling. 2004. Early evolution of dinoflagellates and apicomplexans inferred from HSP90 and actin phylogeny. J. Phycol. 40:341-250.

Patron, N. J., M. B. Rogers, and P. J. Keeling. 2004. Gene replacement of fructose-1,6-bisphophate aldolase supports the hypothesis of a single photosynthetic ancestor of chromalveolates. Eukaryotic Cell 3:1169-1174.

Information on the Internet

Title Illustrations
Scientific Name Stylonychia (Ciliates)
Comments Scanning electron micrograph
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Copyright © BIODIDAC
Scientific Name Ceratium (Dinoflagellates)
Acknowledgements Image courtesy BIODIDAC
Copyright © J. M. Cavanihac
Scientific Name Plasmodium vivax (Euapicomplexa)
Comments micrograph depicting a red blood cell containing four Plasmodium vivax rings, next to a growing trophozoite
Creator CDC/Dr. Mae Melvin
Acknowledgements photo courtesy Public Health Image Library
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Life Cycle Stage trophozoite
About This Page

Mitchell L. Sogin

The Josephine Bay Paul Center in Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution
Marine Biological Laboratory
7 MBL Street
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
USA

David J. Patterson

The Josephine Bay Paul Center in Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution
Marine Biological Laboratory
7 MBL Street
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
USA

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