Phylum: Sarcomastogophora

Sub- phylum: Mastigophora

Class: Zoomastigophora

Order: Kinetoplastida

Family: Trypanosomatidae

Genus: Trypanosoma, Leishmania

Zoomastigophora

• This class of parasite has one or more thread-like flagella and also may have pseudopodia.

Note: Undulating membrane: Lateral expansion of the plasma membrane in some flagellates, usually associated with flagellum.

• In some forms, a flagellum may pass along the body and remain attached to it by an undulatory membrane.
• Nucleus is usually vesicular and reproduction is by longitudinal binary fission.
• Nutrition is holozoic. Only some forms may produce cysts.
• Class Zoomastigophora is divided into two groups for convenience of readers:

1. Hemoflagellates: Live in blood, lymph and tissues. Includes order: Kinetoplastida, Family: Trypanosomatidae
2. Other flagellates: Live in lumen of intestine and other body cavities. Include order Trichomonadida, Families: Monoceromonadidae and Trichomonadidae, Order: Diplomonadidae, Family: Hexamitidae, Order: Retortamonadidae, Family: Retortamonadidae.