| Perkinsus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Clade: | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Myzozoa |
| Class: | Perkinsea |
| Order: | Perkinsida |
| Family: | Perkinsidae |
| Genus: | Perkinsus Levine, 1978 |
Perkinsus is a genus of alveolates in the phylum Perkinsozoa. The genus was erected in 1978 to better treat its type species, Perkinsus marinus, known formerly as Dermocystidium marinum.[1] These are parasitic protozoans that infect molluscs, at least some of which cause disease and mass mortality. P. marinus is the most notorious, causing the disease perkinsosis, or dermo, in wild and farmed oysters.[2]
- ^ Villalba, A.; et al. (2004). "Perkinsosis in molluscs: a review" (PDF). Aquatic Living Resources. 17 (4): 411–32. doi:10.1051/alr:2004050.
- ^ Petty, D. Perkinsus Infections of Bivalve Molluscs. FA178. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Florida Cooperative Extension Service. University of Florida IFAS. 2010.