Polycystine

Taxobox
color = khaki
name = Polycystinea


image_width = 200px
image_caption = Polycystine skeleton
domain = Eukaryota
unranked_phylum = Rhizaria
phylum = Radiolaria
classis = Polycystinea
subdivision_ranks = Orders
subdivision =
Spumellaria
NassellariaThe polycystines are a group of radiolarian protists. They include the vast majority of the fossil radiolaria, as their skeletons are abundant in marine sediments, making them one of the most common groups of microfossils. These skeletons are composed of opaline silica. In some it takes the form of relatively simple spicules, but in others it forms more elaborate lattices, such as concentric spheres with radial spines or sequences of conical chambers.

References

* [http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/protista/radiolaria/radsy.html Systematics of the Radiolaria]