What are the groups classified under the SAR Clade?

The SAR Clade is a significant grouping in the domain of eukaryotic organisms that encompasses three major groups: Stramenopiles, Alveolates, and Rhizarians. This classification is based on molecular data and reflects evolutionary relationships among these diverse organisms.

Stramenopiles include a variety of photosynthetic organisms, such as diatoms and brown algae, which are characterized by their unique flagella. Alveolates are known for having membrane-bound sacs (alveoli) beneath their cell membranes, including groups like ciliates and dinoflagellates. Rhizarians comprise mostly unicellular organisms with filamentous feeding structures, such as foraminiferans and cercozoans.

The designation of the SAR Clade represents a fundamental concept in understanding the diversity of life and the evolutionary connections among various groups of protists and other eukaryotes.