Attachment strategy of Eleutheroschizon dubosqi (Apicomplexa): a protococcidian sharing features of gregarines and cryptosporidian
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| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Apicomplexa represent very successful group of unicellular parasites that evolved unique adaptations for invading and surviving within their hosts. This study focuses on attachment strategy, cell cortex and cytoskeleton of protococcidian Eleutheroschizon duboscqi Brasil, 1906, a representative of marine deep-branching apicomplexans restricted to invertebrates, which shares features of both the gregarines and coccidia. The helmet-shaped stages attached to the host cell show more or less distinct metabolic activity. Attached parasites are covered by a parasitophorous sac (PS) resembling that of cryptosporidia. The caudal part of the PS forms a short tipped appendage, a tail. The attachment apparatus consists of several short projections arranged in circles, surrounded by another circle of filamentous fascicles. No organelles of apical complex were observed. Detailed electron microscopic analysis revealed that E. duboscqi attachment strategy shares features of cryptosporidia and gregarines, i.e. it conspicuously resembles an epicellularly located gregarine embraced by PS, which seems to develop in similar manner as shown in cryptosporidia. |
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