The Syncystidae are a family of
parasitic alveolates in 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. Species in this family infect insects (
Aeshnidae).
History
This family was described by Schneider in 1886.
Taxonomy
One genus and two species (''
Syncystis aeshnae
Syncystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa.
Species in this family infect insects (Aeshnidae).
History
This genus was described by Schneider in 1886.
Taxonomy
Two species are currently recognised in this family. ...
'', ''
Syncystis mirabilis
Syncystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa.
Species in this family infect insects (Aeshnidae).
History
This genus was described by Schneider in 1886.
Taxonomy
Two species are currently recognised in this family. ...
'') are currently recognised in this family.
[Tuzet O, Manier JF (1953) ''Syncystis aeschnae'' n.sp. Néogrégarine (Schizogrégarine, Léger, 1900) parasite des larves d'Aeschna. Ann Nat Sci Zool IIe ser 15:241-246]
The type species is ''
Syncystis mirabilis
Syncystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa.
Species in this family infect insects (Aeshnidae).
History
This genus was described by Schneider in 1886.
Taxonomy
Two species are currently recognised in this family. ...
'' Schneider 1886.
Lifecycle
The development of these parasites is mostly intracellular.
Merogony results in the formation of about 150 elongate, slender
merozoite
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 is ...
s which become spheroidal as they differentiate into amoeboid or spheroidal
gamonts.
The gamonts associate in
syzygy and subdivide into
gametes. Fusion of the gametes leads to numerous
zygotes within the
gametocyst which is either spherical or bilobed. Numerous (30 to 150)
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 ...
s are formed per gametocyst.
The oocysts are navicular and have three or four spines extending from each pole of the wall. Eight
sporozoites form per oocyst.
References
Conoidasida
Apicomplexa families
{{Apicomplexa-stub