Schizocystidae

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Schizocystidae
Scientific classification
Domain:
(unranked):
Sar
(unranked):
Phylum:
Class:
Subclass:
Order:
Family:
Schizocystidae
Genera

Lymphotropha
Machadoella
Schizocystis

The Schizocystidae are a family of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this family infect insects (Diptera, Coleoptera and Hemiptera).

Contents

History

This family was created by Léger and Duboscq in 1908.

Taxonomy

Three genera are currently recognised in this family.

The type genus is Schizocystis.

Lifecycle

The parasites develop in extracellular locations. The trophozoites are large, band like and wide. They have longitudinal striae and are aseptate. A mucron of small pseudopods or sucker is present. The nuclei are large.

Merogony occurs once in the lifecycle. Nuclear division proceeds with binary fission during growth. Cytokinesis occurs to form uninucleate merozoites arranged in clusters in the shape of the trophozoite. The merozoites become free by dropping off the parent trophozoite.

Gamonts, gametocysts and oocysts are of the actinocephalid type with syzygy occurring just before gametocyst formation.

The young gamonts are vermiform (wormlike). The gametocysts are mostly spherical. The oocysts are spindle-shaped with eight sporozoites.

Related Research Articles

Gregarinasina Subclass of protists

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.

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<i>Hemolivia</i> Genus of single-celled organisms

Hemolivia is a genus of the phylum Apicomplexia.

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The Eugregarinorida are the most large and diverse order of gregarines — parasitic protists belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. Eugregarines are found in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats. These species possess large trophozoites that are significantly different in morphology and behavior from the sporozoites. This taxon contains most of the known gregarine species.

Blastogregarinorina is a suborder of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexia

The Caulleryellidae are a family of parasites in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this family mostly infect dipteran larvae.

The Syncystidae are a family of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this family infect insects (Aeshnidae).

The Ophryocystidae are a family of parasites in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this family infect insects.

Caulleryella is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect insects (Diptera).

Tipulocystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect insects (Diptera).

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.

Filipodium is a genus of parasites 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.

Schizocystidae is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa.

Menzbieria is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.

Lipocystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.

<i>Gregarina garnhami</i> Insect-parasitic micro-organism

Gregarina garnhami is a eukaryotic unicellular organism belonging to the Apicomplexa described in 1956 by Canning as a parasite found in several locusts, such as the desert locust, African migratory locust, and Egyptian locust. Especially, the desert locust is the host for this species, as up to 100% of animals can become infected. An estimated thousands of different species of gregarines can be in insects and 99% of these gregarines still need to be described. Each insect is said to host multiple species. A remarkable feature of G. garnhami is its auto-fluorescence.

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