''Spermatobium'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of parasites of 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 ...
. It infects
oligochaete
Oligochaeta () is a subclass of soft-bodied 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 megadril ...
worms.
History
This genus was described by Eisen in 1895.
[Eisen G (1895) On the various stages of development of ''Spermatobium'' with notes on other parasitic sporozoa. Extr. Proceeds. Cal. Acad. Sci. (2) V] This genus has been little studied and not much is known about it.
Taxonomy
Two species in this genus have been described: ''Spermatobium eclipidrili'' and ''Spermatobium freundi''. The type species is ''S. eclipidrili''.
Description
This parasite infects the sperm sacs of oligochaete worms. The sporogonia contain numerous