Dactylosoma

Dactylosoma
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukarya
(unranked):	SAR
Superphylum:	Alveolata
Phylum:	Apicomplexa
Class:	Conoidasida
Subclass:	Coccidia
Order:	Eucoccidiorida
Suborder:	Adeleorina
Family:	Dactylosomatidae
Genus:	Dactylosoma
Species
Dactylosoma hannesi Dactylosoma jahni Dactylosoma lethrinorum Dactylosoma mariae Dactylosoma notopterae Dactylosoma ranarum Dactylosoma salvelini Dactylosoma splendens Dactylosoma sylvatica Dactylosoma taiwanensis

Dactylosoma is a genus of parasitic protozoa of the phylum Apicomplexia.

Species in this genus have two hosts in their life cycle: the vertebrate host is a fish or amphibian (possibly also reptiles) and the invertebrate host is a glossiphoniid leech (Glossiphoniidae).

The type species is Dactylosoma ranarum.

History

This genus was described by Labbé in 1894.

Description

Merogony: Schizonts in this genus produce 6 to 16 merozoites by simultaneous exogenous budding. These typically are found in a fan shaped arrangement. This occurs within the erythrocytes.

Secondary merogony produces 6 smaller merozoites that are destined to become intraerythrocytic gamonts.

Gametogony: The gametocytes are larger, elongated forms derived from some of the merozoites.

Oocysts are formed after fertilization in the leech intestine. 30 or more sporozoites are produced by exogenous budding directly in the cytoplasm of the intestinal epithelial cells. No oocyst wall is formed.