Diplomonadida and Parabasala

Group that lacks mitochondria
Evolved before eukaryotes acquired mitochondria. But recent evidence may suggest that these groups actually lost their mitochondria
Multiple flagella.

• Unicellular, flagellated, no chloroplasts or mitochondria

• Anaerobic, use fermentation

• Mutualistic or parasitic

• Diplo’s have 2 nuclei (ex. Giardia)

• Para’s have 1nuclei (ex. Trichomonas)

• Hydrogenosomes

Giardia lamblia
Trichomona vaginalis
Two separate nuclei

l      Main Characteristic: Lack Mitochondria

l      However-presence of mitochondrial genes

l      Hypothesis that these groups lost mitochondria after diverged earliest in eukaryotic history

l      Diplomonads- i.e. Giardia lambia (intestinal parasite)-two nuclei, multiple flagella, simple cytoskeleton, no mitochondria or plastids

l      Parabasalids- called trichomonads, undulating membrane