Mastigophora

Mastigophora is a historical and largely obsolete zoological and botanical classification. In zoology, it was a phylum within the Protozoa, encompassing unicellular organisms that possessed flagella for locomotion. These organisms, now more commonly classified within various phyla of Protista, were characterized by one or more whip-like appendages that enabled them to move through their aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. Examples of organisms once placed in Mastigophora include Euglena, which exhibits characteristics of both plants and animals, and various dinoflagellates. The term itself derives from the Greek words "mastigos" meaning whip and "phora" meaning bearer.

In botany, Mastigophora was also used, though less frequently, to describe certain types of algae or other plant-like microorganisms that possessed flagella. The classification has largely been superseded by more modern phylogenetic systems that are based on genetic and molecular evidence, leading to a more refined understanding of evolutionary relationships. Modern biological classification does not recognize Mastigophora as a distinct taxonomic rank.