Pfeifferinella

Pfeifferinella
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Sar
Clade:	Alveolata
Phylum:	Apicomplexa
Class:	Conoidasida
Order:	Eucoccidiorida
Family:	Eimeriidae
Genus:	Pfeifferinella Wasielewski, 1904
Species
Pfeifferinella egypti Pfeifferinella ellipsoides Pfeifferinella gugleri Pfeifferinella impudica Pfeifferinella macrocoronata

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.

History

This genus was described by Wasielewski in 1904.^[1]

Taxonomy

The type species is Pfeifferinella ellipsoides.

Six species are currently recognised in this genus.

Description

The majority of species have developmental stages undergo merogony, gamogony and sporogony within the digestive gland of gastropod host. The oocysts are passed in the faeces.

The oocysts lack sporocysts. Each oocyst have 8-14 free sporozoites. A large oocyst residuum is present. The micropyle tends to be large.

References

1. Wasielewski T (1904) Studien und Mikrophotogramme zur Kenntnis der Pathogenen Protozoen. Johann Ambrosius Barth, Leipzig