Spirocuta
| Spirocuta | |
|---|---|
| Cell exhibiting 'euglenoid motion' or metaboly, characteristic of this clade | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Discoba |
| Phylum: | Euglenozoa |
| Class: | Euglenida |
| Clade: | Spirocuta Cavalier-Smith, 2016 |
| Orders | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Spirocuta (from Latin spira 'coil, spire' and cutis 'skin') is a clade of euglenids, single-celled eukaryotes or protists belonging to the phylum Euglenozoa. They are distinguished from other euglenids by active deformation of their cell shape, a process called euglenid motion or metaboly. This is made possible by a high number of spirally arranged protein strips that run below their cell membrane and confer the cell with flexibility. These strips compose the helicoidal pellicle, a trait referenced by the alternative name Helicales.