Apicomplexan Parasite in the Digestive Gland of Various Species of the family Strombidae: Strombus costatus, S. gigas, and S. pugilis

The present study aims to detect the presence of intracellular Apicomplexa in various species of the genus Strombus. Strombus costatus, S. gigas, and S. pugilis. Such presence of intracellular Protozoa associated with all individuals in every studied population and in all examined members of the same family raises diverse hypothesis. The parasitic interaction described in S. gigas extends to both other species of Strombidae studied. Such a relationship could occur in the whole Strombidae family. Further investigations will focus on strombid species from other geographic areas to confirm this hypothesis. Complementary investigations are also scheduled to ascertain the nature of relationship between Apicomplexa and the family Strombidae.