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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. 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 for invading target cells. This makes the gregarines excellent models for studying gliding motility, with the goal of developing treatment options for both toxoplasmosis and malaria. Thousands of different species of gregarine are expected to be found in insects, and 99% of these gregarine species still need to be described. Each insect species can be the host of multiple gregarine species. One of the most-studied gregarines is Gregarina garnhami. In general, gregarines are regarded as a very successful group of parasites, as their hosts are distributed over the entire planet.
Karyolysus is a genus of coccidia. With the exception of K. sonomae whose vertebrate host is the yellow-legged frog, species in this genus only infect lizards of the genus Lacerta.
The genus Schellackia comprises obligate unicellular eukaryotic parasites within the phylum Apicomplexa, and infects numerous species of lizards and amphibians worldwide. Schellackia is transmitted via insect vectors, primarily mites and mosquitoes, which take up the parasite in blood meals. These vectors then subsequently infect reptilian and amphibian which consume the infected insects. The parasites deform erythrocytes of the host into crescents, and can be visualized using a blood smear.
Vetufebrus is an extinct genus of haemospororida in the family Plasmodiidae. At the time of its description the new genus comprised a single species Vetufebrus ovatus known from a single Miocene Dominican amber fossil found on Hispaniola. V. ovatus was vectored by Enischnomyia stegosoma, the first fossil streblid bat fly described from a fossil, and the only member of the subfamily Nycterophiliinae described from Hispaniola. V. ovatus is the first instance of a Streblidae bat fly as a host for a malarial parasite.
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.
Defretinella is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.
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.
Grasseella is a genus in the phylum Apicomplexa.
Ovivora is a genus in the phylum Apicomplexa.
Merocystis is a genus in the phylum Apicomplexa.
Alveocystis is a genus in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect worms of the family Priapuloidea and molluscs. This genus has been poorly studied and little is known about it.
Pfeifferinella is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. This genus has been poorly studied and little is known about it. Species in this genus infect marine priapulid worms and terrestrial and freshwater gastropods.
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.
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.
Filipodium is a genus of parasites in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect marine invertebrates.
Selenidium is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect marine invertebrates.
Apicystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.
Lipocystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa.
Nematopsis (Nee-mah-top-cis) is a genus gregarine Apicomplexan of the family Porosporidae. It is an aquatic parasite of crustaceans with a molluscan intermediate host. Nematopsis has been distinguished from the similar genus Porospora by its resistant and encapsulated oocyst. Little molecular biology has been performed on the members of the Nemaptosis and species are described based on molluscan and crustacean hosts as well as oocyst structure. A total of 38 species have been described and are found all over the world.
References
- ↑ Brasil L (1904) CR Acad Sci Paris 139: 646
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