[1] In older classification systems, members of the Diaphoretickes were variously placed in the kingdoms Protozoa or Protista.

In 2012 the term Diaphoretickes was coined, and received the following phylogenetic definition: The most inclusive clade containing Bigelowiella natans Moestrup & Sengco 2001 (Rhizaria), Tetrahymena thermophila Nanney & McCoy 1976 (Alveolata), Thalassiosira pseudonana Cleve 1873 (Stramenopiles), and Arabidopsis thaliana (Linnaeus) Heynhold, 1842 (Archaeplastida), but not Homo sapiens Linnaeus 1758 (Opisthokonta), Dictyostelium discoideum Raper 1935 (Amoebozoa) or Euglena gracilis Klebs 1883 (Excavata).

[2] Diaphoretickes includes the following groups: Hemimastigophora Provora Haptista Telonemia Rhizaria Stramenopiles Alveolata Cryptista Microheliella maris Archaeplastida In 2024, Hemimastigophora and Provora were placed as sister to Diaphoretickes, together with Meteora.

The name "Corticata" comes from Cavalier-Smith's hypothesis about the common origin of the cortical alveoli of glaucophytes and alveolates.

[9] However, this description is obsolete, largely due to the discovery that Chromalveolata, a refinement of Chromista, is not monophyletic.