Cryptomonad
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| Taxonomic Group: | Cryptomonad |
| Trophic Status: | Autotrophic |
| Size Range: | Varies with species |
| Key Characteristics: | A general category that comprises genera in the flagellate Class Cryptophyceae (Division Chromophyta, containing chlorophyll-a but not chlorophyll-b); in preserved samples these can be identified by their slipper-shape and in epi-fluorescence microscopy, by the extremely bright orange or red pigments |
| Confused With: | Heterotrophic species exist but are not included in the Guide; see p. 605 in Tomas 1997 for a full discussion of this class |
| Toxin: | None known |