''Pythonella'' is a genus of parasitic alveolates belonging to the

phylum In biology, a phylum (; plural: phyla) is a level of classification or taxonomic rank below kingdom and above class. Traditionally, in botany the term division has been used instead of phylum, although the International Code of Nomenclature f ...

Apicomplexa The Apicomplexa (also called Apicomplexia) are a large phylum of parasitic alveolates. Most of them possess a unique form of organelle that comprises a type of non-photosynthetic plastid called an apicoplast, and an apical complex structure. T ...

. This genus was created by Ray and Das-Gupta in 1937. The type species is ''Pythonella bengalensis''.

Taxonomy

This genus is very poorly studied with only three known species.

Life cycle

This species infects the gastrointestinal tract of birds and reptiles. Its life cycle is very poorly known but it is thought that is spread by the orofaecal route. The parasite infects the cells of the gut wall. There are 16 sporocysts per

oocyst Apicomplexans, a group of intracellular parasites, have life cycle stages that allow them to survive the wide variety of environments they are exposed to during their complex life cycle. Each stage in the life cycle of an apicomplexan organism i ...

(heccaidesporocystid) with 4

sporozoite Apicomplexans, a group of intracellular parasites, have life cycle stages that allow them to survive the wide variety of environments they are exposed to during their complex life cycle. Each stage in the life cycle of an apicomplexan organism i ...

s (tetrazoic) in each. Once shed from the body sporulation starts in 7 to 10 days. Species in this genus have been isolated from Brazil, Costa Rica and India.

Host records

* ''P. bengalensis'' - ''

Python Python may refer to: Snakes * Pythonidae, a family of nonvenomous snakes found in Africa, Asia, and Australia ** ''Python'' (genus), a genus of Pythonidae found in Africa and Asia * Python (mythology), a mythical serpent Computing * Python (pro ...

'' species * ''P. scelopori'' - lizard * ''P. scleruri'' - rufous breasted leaftosser (''

Sclerurus scansor The rufous-breasted leaftosser (''Sclerurus scansor'') is a species of bird in the family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil and eastern Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical ...

'')

References

Apicomplexa genera {{Apicomplexa-stub