''Caryotropha'' 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 Nomenclatu ...

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. The ...

. This genus was created in 1902 by Siedelecki.Siedlecki MM (1902) Historya rozwoju nowego gatunku kokcydi: ''Caryotropha mesnilii'' nob. (Cycle evolutif de la ''Caryotropha mesnilii'', coccidie nouvelle des polymnies; note preliminare). Bulletin International de l'Académie des Sciences de Cracovie. Classe des Sciences Mathématiques et Naturelles 561-568Siedlecki MM (1907) O budowie I rozwoju ''Caryotropha mesnili''. (Uber die struktur und die Lebensgeschichte von ''Caryhotropha mesnilii''). (Etude de la structure et du cycle evolutif de ''Caryotropha mesnilii''). Bulletin International de l'Académie des Sciences de Cracovie. Classef des Sciences Matematiques et Naturelles 453-497

Taxonomy

Currently, there is only one species recognised in this genus.

Life cycle

This species infects the gastrointestinal tract of

polychaete Polychaeta () is a paraphyletic class of generally marine annelid worms, commonly called bristle worms or polychaetes (). Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia that bear many bristles, called chaetae, which are ...

worms. It is not known if it has any other host. The parasite infects the cells of the gut wall. The oocysts have a thin membrane-like wall. Each sporocyst gives rise to 12

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 is ...

Host records

'' Eupolymnia nebulosa''. This worm of the family

Terebellidae The Terebellidae is a marine family of polychaete worms, of which the type taxon is '' Terebella'', described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1767 12th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. Characteristics Most terebellids live in burrows or crevices and a ...

was previously known as ''Polymnia nebulosa'' but this is now regarded as a junior synonym.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5047741 Apicomplexa genera Monotypic SAR supergroup genera Conoidasida