How many species of Apicomplexa are there?

5000 species
The Apicomplexa is a protozoan phylum of around 5000 species, the majority of which are parasitic, infecting a wide range of animals from mollusks to mammals (Cavalier-Smith 1993).

What type of parasites are Apicomplexa?

The Apicomplexa are a phylum of diverse obligate intracellular parasites including Plasmodium spp., the cause of malaria; Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum, opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised individuals; and Eimeria spp. and Theileria spp., parasites of considerable agricultural importance.

Is malaria an Apicomplexa?

Apicomplexans infect both invertebrates and vertebrates; they may be relatively benign or may cause serious illnesses. Species in the genus Plasmodium cause malaria in humans and other animals; an estimated 300 million people in over 90 countries are infected with malaria, and over 1 million die from it each year.

What is the another name of Apicomplexa?

apicomplexan, also called sporozoan, any protozoan of the (typically) spore-producing phylum Apicomplexa, which is called by some authorities Sporozoa.

What kingdom is Apicomplexa?

ChromistaApicomplexa / Kingdom

What is an example of Sporozoans?

Sporozoans are organisms that are characterized by being one-celled, non-motile, parasitic, and spore-forming. Most of them have an alternation of sexual and asexual stages in their life cycle. An example of sporozoan is the Plasmodium falciparum, which is the causative agent of malaria.

What are the characteristics of Apicomplexa?

The apicomplexans are characterized by having an apical complex. It is a special organelle that appears as a conical structures on the tapered end (or the apical end) of the cell. It contains rhoptries, micronemes, polar rings, and conoid. Most of the apicomplexans are single-celled, spore-forming, and parasitic.

What are examples of Sporozoans?

What are the three Sporozoans?

Sporozoa Definition, Examples, Classification and Characteristics

  • Coccidia.
  • Piroplasms.
  • Malaria parasites (Plasmodium)
  • Haemoproteus.