Euglenoids exhibit a fascinating mixotrophic nutrition. When deprived of sunlight, how do they obtain energy?
According to NCERT Biology, Euglenoids are remarkably unique because they are photosynthetic autotrophs when sunlight is available. However, they exhibit 'mixotrophic' behavior. When deprived of sunlight, they seamlessly switch their mode of nutrition and behave completely like heterotrophs by actively predating on other smaller microscopic organisms present in their aquatic environment, demonstrating a fascinating evolutionary link.
Ref: NCERT Class 11 Biology > Chapter 2: Biological Classification > 2.2 Kingdom Protista