Domain Eukaryota Class Conoidasida Order Eucoccidiorida Rank Genus | Phylum Apicomplexa Subclass Coccidiasina Suborder Eimeriorina | |
Similar Haemogregarina, Caryospora, Tyzzeria, Wenyonella, Hemolivia | ||
Schellackia is a genus of parasitic alveolates within the phylum Apicomplexa. The genus was described in 1919 by Reichenow. Species in this genus infect reptiles and amphibians.
Contents
The type species is Schellackia bolivari.
Life cycle
The parasite undergoes asexual replication in the cells of the intestine. This is followed by the formation of macrogametocytes and microgametocytes which undergo sexual recombination. The fertilized zygote undergoes a series of divisions which result in sporozoites that invade the erythrocytes.
These cells are taken up in a blood meal of a mite where development of the parasite does not continue. The mite acts strictly as a passive vector. Lizards eat the mites and become infected when the parasite emerges from the erythrocytes in the lizard's (or toad's) stomach.
In some species orofaecal transmission occurs without the necessity of a passage through a mite.
The parasites may be seen in a stained blood smear. The parasites deform the erythrocytes into crescents and are visible as oval, pale staining bodies within the cell.
The sporozoites possess rhoptries, micronemes, apical rings and other structures typical of the members of this phylum.
Taxonomy
A study of the 18s rRNA gene suggests that this genus may have been placed incorrectly in the family Lankesterellidae.