Lankesterella (protozoa)

Lankesterella
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Sar
Superphylum: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Conoidasida
Subclass: Coccidiasina
Order: Eucoccidiorida
Suborder: Eimeriorina
Family: Lankesterellidae
Genus: Lankesterella
Species

Lankesterella alencari
Lankesterella baznosanui
Lankesterella bufonis
Lankesterella hylae
Lankesterella millani
Lankesterella minima
Lankesterella petiti
Lankesterella poeppigii
Lankesterella tritonis

Lankesterella is a genus in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect amphibians.

The type species is Lankesterella minima.

History

This genus was created by Labbe in 1899.

This genus was also known as Atoxoplasma. This latter name was coined by Garnham in 1950 for a group of parasites resembling Toxoplasma but not transmissible by syringe.

These genera were united by Lainson in 1959. They were separated again by Levin in 1982.

Description

Criteria for the specific differentiation of Lankesterella are limited. The most commonly described stages the sporozoites found in the peripheral blood erythrocytes. Despite considerable structural divergences that have been observed among the sporozoite shapes, a system for taxonomic differentiation has not been developed. Descriptions of the stages developing in the viscera are less available as they require necropsy of the host.

The oocysts usually contain more than 32 sporozoites. There are no sporocysts.

Life cycle

In the species that infect amphibians the vectors are leeches.

The sporozoites invade macrophages or endothelial cells. After development there they invade circulating erythrocytes. The sporozoites may also invade liver parenchyma or tissue macrophages.

Host records

Vertebrate

Parasite species unknown

Vector

Synonyms

References

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