Phytoplankton: Flagellates

This chapter describes the taxonomy of flagellates. Marine flagellates is an all-inclusive term which describes a plethora of different protist species scattered throughout different eukaryotic lineages that move using their flagella. Many flagellates also have other morphological life stages, but the chapter focuses on those taxa for which the flagellated form is predominant. It covers their life cycle, ecology and distribution, and toxic species. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.