Dinema (alga)

Dinema, synonym Dinematomonas,^[2] is a genus of flagellated algae in the phylum Euglenozoa.^[1]

Dinema
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Discoba
Phylum:	Euglenozoa
Class:	Euglenida
Order:	Anisonemida
Family:	Anisonemidae
Genus:	Dinema Perty[1]
Species
See text.
Synonyms[2]
Dinematomonas P.C.Silva

This article is about a genus of flagellates. For the genus of orchids, see Dinema (plant).

Description

Like other members of the family Anisonemidae, Dinema consists of single-celled organisms with a larger posterior flagellum by means of which they are able to glide. They are phagotrophic, meaning that they feed by engulfing particles of food, and are non-photosynthetic.^[3]

Taxonomy

The algal genus Dinema was established by Perty in 1852. It is an illegitimate name under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants.^[1] The genus name was first published in 1826 for a genus of orchids.^[4] In spite of this, it was accepted by AlgaeBase as of May 2023^[update].^[1] Other sources use the genus name Dinematomonas P.C.Silva.^[2] Dinema is an acceptable name under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.^[3]

Dinema is probably paraphyletic with respect to Anisonema.^[3]

Species

As of May 2023^[update], AlgaeBase accepted six species:^[5]

• Dinema australiense Mikhailov
• Dinema dimorphum (Skuja) Schroeckh, W.J.Lee & D.J.Patterson
• Dinema inaequale J.Larsen & D.J.Patterson
• Dinema maculatum
• Dinema platysomum (Skuja) W.J.Lee & D.J.Patterson
• Dinema validum J.Larsen & D.J.Patterson