Schellackia
The genus ''Schellackia'' comprises obligate unicellular eukaryotic parasites within the phylum Apicomplexa, and infects numerous species of lizards and amphibians worldwide. ''Schellackia'' is transmitted via insect vectors, primarily mites and mosquitoes, which take up the parasite in blood meals. These vectors then subsequently infect reptilian and amphibian which consume the infected insects. The parasites deform erythrocytes of the host into crescents, and can be visualised using a blood smear. The type species, '' Schellackia bolivari'', was described by Anton Reichenow in 1919. History of knowledge ''Schellackia'' was first described by Anton Reichenow in 1919, with the type species '' Schellackia bolivari'' having been discovered parasitizing the spiny-footed lizard ''Acanthodactylus erythrurus'' and the Spanish '' Psammodromus hispanicus'' within the Iberian Peninsula. At first, many difficulties in describing new species were present – very few characteristics cou ...
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