| Ichthyophonus hoferi | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Hyphas (or germ tubes) and schizonts of Ichthyophonus hoferi. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Amorphea |
| Clade: | Holozoa |
| Class: | Ichthyosporea |
| Order: | Ichthyophonida |
| Family: | Ichthyophonidae |
| Genus: | Ichthyophonus |
| Species: | I. hoferi |
| Binomial name | |
| Ichthyophonus hoferi | |
Ichthyophonus hoferi is a single-celled protist that occupies a key phylogenetic position to understand the origin of animals. It has chitin cell wall, hyphae, and an amoeboid stage. It is a common parasite of marine and freshwater fishes. [2] [3] [4]
In fish, I. hoferi causes hemorrhages and fin and skin rot, destroys muscle, and induces ova to develop without spermatic fertilization through a toxin. [5]