Dinema (alga)

Dinema, synonym Dinematomonas, is a genus of flagellated algae in the phylum Euglenozoa.

Description
Like other members of the family Anisonemidae, Dinema consists of single-celled organisms with a larger posterior flagellum by means of which they are able to glide. They are phagotrophic, meaning that they feed by engulfing particles of food, and are non-photosynthetic.

Taxonomy
The algal genus Dinema was established by Perty in 1852. It is an illegitimate name under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. The genus name was first published in 1826 for a genus of orchids. In spite of this, it was accepted by AlgaeBase. Other sources use the genus name Dinematomonas P.C.Silva. Dinema is an acceptable name under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

Dinema is probably paraphyletic with respect to Anisonema.

Species
, AlgaeBase accepted six species:
 * Dinema australiense Mikhailov
 * Dinema dimorphum (Skuja) Schroeckh, W.J.Lee & D.J.Patterson
 * Dinema inaequale J.Larsen & D.J.Patterson
 * Dinema maculatum
 * Dinema platysomum (Skuja) W.J.Lee & D.J.Patterson
 * Dinema validum J.Larsen & D.J.Patterson