Development and life cycles: Cellular processes in myxozoans

Abstract

This chapter describes general cellular processes associated with myxozoan development and includes the first review of motility at the cellular level. We consider modes of cell proliferation by endogeny and division by mitosis and meiosis. We also describe cellular processes associated with sporogony, including the formation of plasmodia and spores. We review cellular motility by amoeboid movement in host invasion and ‘dancing’ or twitching of presporogonic proliferative stages in some myxosporeans. The key role of F-actin and myosin in cellular motility is highlighted.