Wesley Yu Phylum Sarcodina

Introduction Under kingdom Protista. Sarcodina - best known for their pseudopods (“false feet”) used for locomotion and feeding.

About Sarcodinas use their pseudopods, flowing extensions, to engulf or latch onto prey, which may include bacteria, algae or other protozoa Most sarcodines are free living; others are parasitic

reproduction Sarcodines may reproduce asexually by cell division, often without breakdown of the nuclear envelope that is typical in mitosis, or sexually by meiosis and the production of haploid gametes, followed by fusion of gametes and the formation of zygotes.

structure Lack any rigid structure outside of their cell membrane, sarcodines can freely change their shape and form pseudopodia. Sarcodines can live in both freshwater and marine environments.

Example The most well-known example of a sarcodine is the famous amoeba Many amoebas are active predators, oozing about on their false feet until they come into contact with a suitable meal. At that point, the pseudopod flows around and engulfs the hapless prey, until it is completely “swallowed.”