What are the characteristic features of Euglenoids ?

Explanation

Members of this phylum are fresh water, flagellate and motile forms.
A single flagellum is found at the anterior end.
The flagellum develops from basal granule and an eye spot or stigma is present near to it
The cells have an elastic pellicle that gives a definite shap to the cell.
Euglena is photosynthetic when optimum light is available and is non-photosynthetic in the absence of light and engulfs the food materials. Hence it is described as myxotroph.
Contractile vacuoles help in osmoregulation.
Reserv food occurs in the form of paramylum starch.
Asexual reproduction is by longitudinal binary fission.