Radiolarians are unicellular eukaryotes about 0.1 to 0.2 millimeters across that produce intricate mineral skeletons, usually made of silica, with a central capsule dividing the cell into inner and outer portions. They are found as zooplankton throughout the global ocean and are primarily heterotrophic, though many carry photosynthetic endosymbionts and are considered mixotrophs. The skeletal remains of some radiolarians make up a large part of the ocean floor as siliceous ooze, and because they change rapidly as species and have intricate skeletons, radiolarians are an important diagnostic fossil found from the Cambrian period onward.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Living or Extinct Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceUnicellular eukaryotes about 0.1 to 0.2 mm across that produce intricate mineral skeletons, with a central capsule dividing the cell into inner and outer portions. 1 Scientific Name Connections
Sources
1. Radiolaria - Wikipedia
Introduction
The Radiolaria, also called Radiozoa and informally called radiolarians, are unicellular eukaryotes of diameter 0.1-0.2 mm that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into the inner and outer portions of endoplasm and ectoplasm.
In Group: Foraminifera and Radiolarians, Lead
The Radiolaria, also called Radiozoa and informally called radiolarians, are unicellular eukaryotes of diameter 0.1-0.2 mm that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into the inner and outer portions of endoplasm and ectoplasm.
In Biome: Marine, Article text: "They are found as zooplankton throughout the glo"
They are found as zooplankton throughout the global ocean.
View the Source2. GBIF Species API
3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ107920, descriptionView the Source Wikidata: Radiolaria
- Wikidata Q107920, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Eukarya, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.