Selenidium
Selenidium is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect marine invertebrates.
Taxonomy
[edit]This genus was created by Giard in 1884.[1] Fifty six species have been described in this genus.
The type species is Selenidium pendula Giard, 1884.
Description
[edit]All species in this genus infect marine invertebrates.
Life cycle
[edit]These species infect the gut of polychaete worms.
The trophozoites are vermiform with an apical complex. They have few epicytic folds. A dense array of microtubules lies under a trilayered pellicle.
Syzygy occurs in the tail-to-tail, head-to-head and lateral positions.
The gamonts are extracellular. They are foliaceous or cylindroid in shape and have longitudinal striations.
The oocysts are spherical or ovoid, are 12-18 microns in diameter and their wall is 1 micron thick. They have four infective sporozoites each.
The sporozoites undergo schizogony (merogony).
References
[edit]- ^ Giard A (1884). Note sur un nouveau groups de protozoaire parasites des annelides et sur q points de l'histoire des gregarines (S. pendija). C r Assoc fr Avnnc Set, Cotigr Blois p. 19
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