Domain Eukaryota Rank Genus | Suborder Babesiina | |
Echinococcidium is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa.
Contents
History
This genus was described by Porchet in 1978 in specimens collected in Boulogne, France.
Taxonomy
At present only a single species in this genus is known - Echinococcidium notomasti.
Description
Echinococcidium notomasti infects the intestinal cells of the polychete worm Notomastus latericeus. The protozoa are found in large parasitophorous vacuoles in intestinal epithelium or free in lumen of the gut.
The protozoa themselves have circles of spines arranged in convergent bundles to form a pyramid. They may also have single spines on body surface. Within the cytoplasm amylopectin granules may be present.
Life cycle
Nothing is known about the life cycle of this organism. It is presumably transmitted by the orofaecal route.