Species of the genera Labyrinthula, Schizochytrium, Thraustochytrium and related organisms have recently attracted attention in biotechnology, and here is a short note on how to classify these rather special organisms. The labyrinthulids and thraustochytrids belong to the heterokonts, a large group of very diverse organisms, from microscopic unicells to metre-long brown algae. The heterokonts comprise species that were formerly classified as algae, fungi and/or protozoa. | Short communication on the classification of the genera labyrinthula, schizochytrium and Thraustochytrium (Labyrinthulids and Thraustochytrids)