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:
- Hemoflagellates: Live in blood, lymph and tissues. Includes order: Kinetoplastida, Family: Trypanosomatidae
- 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.