Radiolaria

Radiolaria

Radiolaria (pronunciation: /ˌreɪdiːoʊˈlɛəriə/) are a type of protozoa that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into inner and outer portions, called endoplasm and ectoplasm.

Etymology

The term "Radiolaria" (from the Latin radius, meaning "ray", and -aria, meaning "like, connected to") was first used in the 19th century by German biologist Ernst Haeckel to describe these organisms due to their radial symmetry and the ray-like spines that extend outward from their bodies.

Characteristics

Radiolaria are notable for their complex and beautiful silica-based skeletons, which can take a variety of forms, including spheres, spikes, and intricate lattices. They are typically found in the open ocean and are an important part of the marine plankton community.

Classification

Radiolaria are classified under the supergroup Rhizaria, along with other amoeboid protozoa such as foraminifera and cercozoa. Within the Radiolaria, there are three main orders: Acantharea, Polycystinea, and Phaeodarea.

Ecology

Radiolaria play a crucial role in the marine food web, as they consume smaller plankton and are in turn preyed upon by larger organisms. Their silica skeletons, when they die, sink to the ocean floor and contribute to the ocean sediment, providing a valuable record of past oceanic conditions.

Related Terms

• Rhizaria
• Protozoa
• Marine plankton
• Silica
• Acantharea
• Polycystinea
• Phaeodarea
• Ocean sediment
• Ernst Haeckel

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Radiolaria
• Wikipedia's article - Radiolaria

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