Image: Wikimedia Commons

Cryptophyta

Division of algae

Species / taxontaxonQ18668642

Scientific name: Cryptophyta
Rank: division
Parent taxon: Cryptista

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

The cryptomonads are a group of algae and colorless flagellates, most of which have plastids. They are traditionally considered a division of algae among phycologists, under the name of Cryptophyta. They are common in freshwater, and also occur in marine and brackish habitats. Each cell is around 10–50 μm in size and flattened in shape, with an anterior groove or pocket. At the edge of the pocket there are typically two slightly unequal flagella. Some may exhibit mixotrophy. They are divided into two classes: heterotrophic Goniomonadea and phototrophic Cryptophyceae. The two groups are united under three shared morphological characteristics: presence of a periplast, ejectisomes with secondary scroll, and mitochondrial cristae with flat tubules. Genetic studies as early as 1994 also supported the hypothesis that Goniomonas was sister to Cryptophyceae.

Overview

All data

31 statements · 32% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Taxon common name: クリプト植物門
2
Sources
1.Stated in Q106471759
2.Stated in Q106884872
View statement on Wikidata ↗
クリプト藻門
1
Sources
1.Stated in Q106477729
View statement on Wikidata ↗
kriptofiti
Different from: cryptophyte

Data quality

statements

32%

externally sourced

Source last edited April 14, 2026. AIDb refreshes this page daily.

Suggest a fact or correction

Links

Use this data

curl https://aidb.si/api/v1/entities/Q18668642

API docs, limits & keys

Cite this page

AIDb. (2026). Cryptophyta (Q18668642). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/cryptophyta-Q18668642