Unikonts, Amoebozoans, Archaeplastida, Red and Green Algae

SAR Alliance: Rhizarians

• Represents the third major element of the SAR (Stramenopiles, Alveolates, Rhizarians) alliance.

• Primarily categorized as amoebas.

• Includes Radiolarians (not covered in detail), Cercozoans (e.g., Chlorarachneon, the “green spider amoeba” previously discussed), and Forams (Foraminiferans).

• Recent molecular evidence suggests Rhizarians are a sister group to the Alveolates plus the Stramenopiles; however, the evidence linking Rhizarians to this alliance is considered less solid and more problematic than the robust association between Alveolates and Stramenopiles.

• All are amoebas that produce pseudopodia, meaning