Definition
A class or a taxonomic group belonging to Subphylum Mastigophora that includes colourless, heterotrophic, flagellate protozoans.
Supplement
Class Zoomastigophora belongs to Subphylum Mastigophora, under Phylum Sarcomastigophora. It includes all animal-like protozoa that use flagella for locomotion.
Class Zoomastigophora consists of nine orders:
- Choanoflagellida
- Bicosoecida
- Rhizomastigida
- Kinetoplastida
- Retortamonadida
- Diplomonadida
- Oxymonadida
- Trichomonadida
- Hypermastigida
Word origin: Greek: zôion, animal + mastīgophóros, whip-bearing.
See also: zooflagellate, protozoa.