Haptophyte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haptophytes |
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| Coccolithophore (Coccolithus pelagicus) | |
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Haptophyta
Hibberd 1976
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Class Pavlovophyceae |
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Haptophytes are a phylum of algae, sometimes called the Prymnesiophyta. All or most of them are single-celled photosynthetic phytoplankton.
The cells typically have two slightly unequal flagella and a unique organelle called a haptonema. This is superficially similar to a flagellum, but differs in its arrangement of microtubules, and in its use. The name comes from the Greek hapsis = touch, and nema = thread.
Classification
Molecular and morphological evidence places them in five orders; coccolithophores make up the Isochrysidales and Coccolithales. Other groups include phytoplankton which produce the toxic algal blooms.
See also
In Spanish: Haptophyta para niños
