Scotokaryotes

Ancyromonadida or Planomonadida is a small group of biflagellated eukaryotes found in the soil and in aquatic habitats, where they feed on bacteria. They are freshwater or marine organisms, benthic, dorsoventrally compressed and with two unequal flagellae, each emerging from a separate pocket. The apical anterior flagellum can be very thin or end in the cell membrane, while the posterior flagellum is long and is inserted ventrally or laterally. The cell membrane is supported by a thin single-layered theca and the mitochondrial crests are discoidal/flat.

Malawimonas is a genus of unicellular, heterotrophic flagellates with uncertain phylogenetic affinities. They have variably been assigned to Excavata and Loukozoa. Recent studies suggest they may be closely related to the Podiata.

Ancyromonas is a genus of basal eukaryote consisting of heterotrophic flagellates.

The Scotokaryotes is a proposed basal eukaryote clade sister to Diaphoretickes. Likely Scotokaryote groupings include the Metamonads, the Malawimonas and the Podiata. The name comes from the Greek word scotos (dark) due to the complete absence of photosynthetic organisms in this clade, contrasting with Diaphoretickes and Excavata.