PHYTOFLAGELLATE

(class Phytomastigophorea in many traditional classifications), any of several flagellate protozoans that have many characteristics in common with typical algae, especially the pigment chlorophyll and various accessory pigments, which means that many phytoflagellates have a photosynthetic type of nutrition, although many organisms included in this group exhibit heterotrophy or myotrophy. Species without chlorophyll are similar in form to related chlorophyll-bearing species. Phytoflagellates may obtain nutrients by photosynthesis, by absorption through the body surface, or by ingestion of food particles. For some of the more important members of this group, see Euglena; Chlamydomonas; chloromonad; dinoflagellate; cryptomonad; and chrysomonad.