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The Apicomplexa are a large phylum of parasitic alveolates. Most of them possess a unique form of organelle that comprises a type of plastid called an apicoplast, and an apical complex structure. The organelle is an adaptation that the apicomplexan applies in penetration of a host cell.
Coccidia (Coccidiasina) are a subclass of microscopic, spore-forming, single-celled obligate intracellular parasites belonging to the apicomplexan class Conoidasida. As obligate intracellular parasites, they must live and reproduce within an animal cell. Coccidian parasites infect the intestinal tracts of animals, and are the largest group of apicomplexan protozoa.
The gregarines are a group of Apicomplexan alveolates, classified as the Gregarinasina or Gregarinia. The large parasites inhabit the intestines of many invertebrates. They are not found in any vertebrates. However, gregarines are closely related to both Toxoplasma and Plasmodium, which cause toxoplasmosis and malaria, respectively. Both protists use protein complexes similar to those that are formed by the gregarines for gliding motility and invading target cells. This makes them excellent models for studying gliding motility with the goal of developing treatment options for toxoplasmosis and malaria. Thousands of different species of gregarines are expected to be found in insects, and 99% of these gregarines still need to be described. Each insect can be the host of multiple species. One of the most studied gregarines is Gregarina garnhami. In general, gregarines are regarded as very successful parasites, as their hosts are spread over the entire planet.
Conoidasida is a class of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. The class was defined in 1988 by Levine and contains two subclasses – the coccidia and the gregarines. All members of this class have a complete, hollow, truncated conoid. Gregarines tend to parasitize invertebrates with the mature gamonts being extracellular, the coccidia mostly infect vertebrates and have intracellular gamonts.
Dactylosoma is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexia.
Atoxoplasma is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. The species in this genus infect birds. They are spread by the orofaecal route.
Caryotropha is a genus of parasitic alveolates belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. This genus was created in 1902 by Siedelecki.
Dorisiella is a genus of parasitic alveolates belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. This genus was created in 1930 by Ray.
Barrouxia is a genus of parasitic alveolates belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa.
Defretinella is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.
Gibbsia is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.
Klossiella is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect the renal tract of mammals and intestinal tract of snakes.
The Archigregarinorida are an order of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this order infect marine invertebrates — usually annelids, ascidians, hemichordates and sipunculids.
Pseudoklossia is a genus in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect marine molluscs, although one species infects in an ascidian worm. The life cycle is heteroxenous.
Farinocystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect insects (Coleoptera).
Mattesia is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect insects.
Selenidium is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect marine invertebrates.
Stylocephaloidea is a superfamily of parasites of the phylum Apicomplexia.
Syncystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa.
Lipocystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.
References
- ↑ Levine ND (1980) Dorisa n. gen. (Protozoa, Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae). J Parasitol 66(1):11
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