Labyrinthula

The genus Labyrinthula, also known as net slime molds, is part of the protist group Labyrinthulomycetes and contains thirteen species. The major feature of this genus is the formation of an ectoplasmic net, secreted by specialized organelles called bothrosomes, which surrounds the colony and is also used by Labyrinthula for moving. The protist reproduces by zoosporulation as it sets some flagellated spores free from a sporangium. One of the flagella of the zoospores has stiff tripartite hairs (mastigonemes) – the defining characteristic of the stramenopiles.

Interest in Labyrinthula arose as it was identified as the cause of a "wasting disease", which led to the death of more than 90% of the seagrass population of the North Atlantic coast in the early 1930s.