View source for Cephaloidophoridae

{{Short description|Family of single-celled organisms}}
{{Taxobox
| name = 
| image =
| image_caption = 
| domain = [[Eukaryota]]	
| unranked_regnum = [[SAR supergroup|SAR]]
| unranked_superphylum = [[Alveolata]]
| phylum = [[Apicomplexa]]
| classis = [[Conoidasida]]
| subclassis = [[Gregarinasina]]
| ordo = [[Eugregarinorida]] 
| subordo = [[Septatorina]]
| subordo authority = 
| superfamilia = [[Gregarinicae]]
| familia = Cephaloidophoridae
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
''[[Caridohabitans]]''<br/>
''[[Cephaloidophora]]''<br/>
''[[Rotundula]]''
}}

'''Cephaloidophoridae''' is a family of parasitic [[Alveolata|alveolates]] of the [[phylum]] [[Apicomplexia]]

==Taxonomy==

There are three genera in this taxon and seventy named species.

==History==

This taxon was created by Kamm in 1922.<ref name=Kamm1922>Kamm MEW (1922) Studies on gregarines II: Synopsis of the polycystid gregarines of the world, excluding those from the Myriapoda, Orthoptera, and Coleoptera. University of Illinois Press</ref>

==Description==

Species in this family infect [[crustacean]]s and infect only a single host during their life cycle.

They are spread by the orofaecal route and infect the intestine of the host.

Their early development is within the cells of the intestine. Once mature they rupture the cell and escape into the intestinal lumen.

The [[primite]] is distinguishable from satellite.

The parasites associate with one another prior to [[Meiosis|syzygy]] in a head to tail (caudofrontal) fashion.

There is marked [[anisogamy]].

The [[gametocyst]]s open by simple rupture;
 
The [[oocyst]]s are ovoid or spherical in shape. There is a protruding equatorial ridge but there is no distinct [[epispore]];

===Differential diagnosis===

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Alveolata}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q18606072}}

[[Category:Conoidasida]]
[[Category:Alveolata families]]
{{Apicomplexa-stub}}