Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Porospora gigantea (Van Beneden, 1869) Schneider, 1875, is a marine septate intestinal eugregarine of Homarus gammarus, with a poorly known pathogenicity. Previously named Gregarina gigantea, it presents three outstanding characteristics according to the literature: (i) a gigantic size of its trophozoite stages with (ii) a remarkable gliding speed, which are the largest and the fastest recorded to date for any Apicomplexa, and (iii) an ability to accumulate as very specific cyst forms in the chitinous folds of the lobster rectum. These particular developmental stages, and the gliding speed of P. gigantea, were recently documented when its genome was sequenced. Molecular data confirmed its phylogenetic position within the crustacean gregarines, but raised some taxonomic concerns. Comparative analysis of the P. gigantea genome with those of other Apicomplexa revealed its divergent gliding motility apparatus, broadening our knowledge of the adaptive capacities of the Apicomplexa.
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