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