The Aikinetocystidae are a family of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa. The species in this family infect oligochaetes.
Taxonomy
This family was created in 1930 by Bhatia.
[Bhatia BL (1930) Synopsis of the genera and classification of haplocyte gregarines.
Parasitol 22: 156-167]
Two genera are recognised in this family - ''
Aikinetocystis'' and ''
Nellocystis''.
Description
The species in this family infect the coelom of
oligochaete
Oligochaeta () is a subclass of animals in the phylum Annelida, which is made up of many types of aquatic and terrestrial worms, including all of the various earthworms. Specifically, oligochaetes comprise the terrestrial megadrile earthworm ...
s. They are spread by the oral-faecal route. The trophozoite is aseptate. The gamont is sac-like and extends at one end into two branches which divide dichotomously, forming eight to 16 secondary branches bearing groups of suckers. The oocysts are biconical (fusiform).
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q16974002
Apicomplexa families