Ophryocystidae
Ophryocystidae | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
Class: | Conoidasida |
Order: | Neogregarinorida |
Family: | Ophryocystidae |
Genera | |
The Ophryocystidae are a family of
History
This family was created by Léger and Duboscq in 1908.
Taxonomy
One genus is placed in this family - Ophryocystis - with at least 10 species. This is the type family of the order Neogregarinorida.
Lifecycle
Most species in this family infect the Malpighian tubes of beetles.
The trophozoite is conical in shape.
Two types of
The merozoites are uninucleated, pyriform cells. These are released into the lumen of the tube and from there infect other cells of the tube.
The gametocytes possesses only a single nucleus and are globular in shape. When mature, these become detached from the epithelium. Within the lumen, the gametocytes associate in pairs, fuse and form a zygote.
The zygote subsequently becomes a single octozoic spore.
References
- ^ Leger L (1907) Les schizogregarines des tracheates. L Le genre Ophryocystis. Arch. Prot. 8: 159-202