Nymphozoon

Common Names

There are no common names for members of the genus Nymphozoon. They are primarily known by their scientific names.

Characteristics

Nymphozoon species are trypanosomatids, which are unicellular eukaryotic parasites. They are characterized by their elongated, spindle-shaped bodies and a single flagellum, which is used for movement. These parasites can be found in a variety of forms throughout their life cycle, including:

• Epimastigotes: These are the elongated forms with a flagellum that emerges from the anterior end of the cell. They are typically found in the gut of their invertebrate hosts.
• Trypomastigotes: These are slender forms with a flagellum that extends along the length of the cell. They are typically found in the blood and other tissues of their hosts.
• Amastigotes: These are round or oval forms that lack a free flagellum. They are typically found within the cells of their hosts.

Environments

Nymphozoon species are primarily found in marine environments, where they infect a variety of invertebrate hosts, including:

• Crustaceans: These are common hosts, especially in species like crabs, lobsters, and shrimps.
• Mollusks: Snails, clams, and other mollusks can also be infected.
• Echinoderms: Sea stars and other echinoderms are known hosts.

References

For further information, refer to the following reliable sources:

• Nymphozoon, a novel genus of trypanosomatids from marine crustaceans
• Phylogenetic analyses of the genus Nymphozoon (Trypanosomatida) from marine crustaceans