Syncystis

Syncystis is a genus of parasitic alveolates in the phylum Apicomplexa.

Species in this family infect insects (Aeshnidae).

History
This genus was described by Schneider in 1886.

Taxonomy
Two species are currently recognised in this family.

The type species is Syncystis mirabilis Schneider 1886.

Lifecycle
The development of these parasites is mostly intracellular. Merogony results in the formation of about 150 elongate, slender merozoites which become spheroidal as they differentiate into amoeboid or spheroidal gamonts.

The gamonts associate in syzygy and subdivide into gametes.

Fusion of the gametes leads to numerous zygotes within the gametocyst which is either spherical or bilobed.

Numerous (30 to 150) oocysts are formed per gametocyst. The oocysts are navicular and have three or four spines extending from each pole of the wall.

Eight sporozoites form per oocyst.