''Pythonella'' is a genus of parasitic alveolates belonging to the

phylum In biology, a phylum (; : phyla) is a level of classification, or taxonomic rank, that is below Kingdom (biology), kingdom and above Class (biology), class. Traditionally, in botany the term division (taxonomy), division has been used instead ...

Apicomplexa The Apicomplexa (also called Apicomplexia; single: apicomplexan) are organisms of a large phylum of mainly parasitic alveolates. Most possess a unique form of organelle structure that comprises a type of non-photosynthetic plastid called an ap ...

. This genus was created by Ray and Das-Gupta in 1937. The type species is ''Pythonella bengalensis''.

Taxonomy

This genus is very poorly studied with only three known species.

Life cycle

This species infects the gastrointestinal tract of birds and reptiles. Its life cycle is very poorly known but it is thought that is spread by the orofaecal route. The parasite infects the cells of the gut wall. There are 16 sporocysts per

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 ...

(heccaidesporocystid) with 4

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 organis ...

s (tetrazoic) in each. Once shed from the body sporulation starts in 7 to 10 days. Species in this genus have been isolated from Brazil, Costa Rica and India.

Host records

* ''P. bengalensis'' - ''

Python Python may refer to: Snakes * Pythonidae, a family of nonvenomous snakes found in Africa, Asia, and Australia ** ''Python'' (genus), a genus of Pythonidae found in Africa and Asia * Python (mythology), a mythical serpent Computing * Python (prog ...

'' species * ''P. scelopori'' - lizard * ''P. scleruri'' - rufous breasted leaftosser (''

Sclerurus scansor ''Sclerurus'' is a bird genus in the ovenbird family, Furnariidae. Members of this genus are commonly known as leaftossers or leafscrapers, and are found in Mexico, Central America and South America. They are close relatives of the miners (''Geo ...

'')

References

Apicomplexa genera {{Apicomplexa-stub