Protozooplankton: Radiolaria
This chapter describes the taxonomy of radiolaria. Radiolaria are amoeboid unicellular eukaryotes with mineral skeletons, often forming elaborate symmetrical lattice structures with spines. They form an abundant part of marine holoplankton from surface to deep waters. The chapter covers their life cycle, ecology and distribution, and identification. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.