Coccidia

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Coccidia
Coccidia oocysts
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Chromalveolata
Superphylum: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Conoidasida
Subclass: Coccidia or Coccidiasina
Orders

Coccidia (Coccidiasina) is a subclass of microscopic, spore-forming, single-celled obligate intracellular parasites belonging to the apicomplexan class Conoidasida.[1] Obligate intracellular parasites means that they must live and reproduce within an animal cell. Coccidian parasites infect the intestinal tracts of animals,[2] and are the largest group of apicomplexan protozoa.

Infection with these parasites is known as coccidiosis.

Contents

[edit] Taxonomy

The class is divided into four orders which are distinguished by the presence or absence of various asexual and sexual stages:


The order Eucoccidiorida is divided into two suborders. These these two groups differ in their sexual development: syzygy for Adeleorina and independent gametes for Eimeriorina.

The first suborder, Adeleorina, comprises coccidia of invertebrates and the coccidia that alternate between blood-sucking invertebrates and various vertebrates; this group includes Haemogregarina and Hepatozoon. There are seven families in this suborder.

The second suborder, Eimeriorina, comprises coccidia of a variety of coccidia many of which are cyst forming. A number of genera infect vertebrates including Toxoplasma and Sarcocystis.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "The Taxonomicon & Systema Naturae" (Website database). Taxon: Genus Cryptosporidium. Universal Taxonomic Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2000. http://www.taxonomy.nl/taxonomicon/TaxonTree.aspx?id=660. 
  2. ^ "Biodiversity explorer: Apicomplexa (apicomplexans, sporozoans)". Iziko Museums of Cape Town. http://www.museums.org.za/bio/apicomplexa/index.htm. 

[edit] External links

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