Protists

> Acritarchs | Ciliates | Dinoflagellates | Foraminifera | Radiolarians | Diatoms | Green Algae | Red Algae | Kelps and Brown Algae | Silicoflagellates | Calcareous Nannoplankton | Other Protists

See More Images
(13 total)

Actinoptychus heliopelta
Actinoptychus heliopelta
© 1995 UCMP

Sceptroneis caduceus
Sceptroneis caduceus
© 1995 UCMP

stromatolite
stromatolite
© 0 Ron Stanwood

What are Protists? The term “protist” refers to any eukaryote that is not a plant, animal, or fungus. Most protists are unicellular, while others are multicellular or even multinucleate (many nuclei in one cell). Some live as single individuals, others as colonies. This diverse group exhibits a wide variety of sizes, shapes, life cycles, habitats, and feeding and reproductive strategies. The protists have a long, although in some cases patchy, fossil record stretching back to the Precambrian.

First known fossil occurrence: Precambrian.

Last known fossil occurrence: Quaternary. This group has living relatives.

Cool Protists links:

Search for images of Protists on Google

help

site tour | about the site | site map | site credits | page credits | help | FAQs | contact
© | editorial policy | awards | teachers' guide | site generator | About RSS

paleontology news:   recent site additions: