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Abstract
Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals serve as hosts for 19 species of Cryptosporidium.
All 19 species have been confirmed by morphological, biological, and molecular data.
Fish serve as hosts for three additional species, all of which lack supporting molecular
data. In addition to the named species, gene sequence data from more than 40 isolates
from various vertebrate hosts are reported in the scientific literature or are listed
in GenBank. These isolates lack taxonomic status and are referred to as genotypes
based on the host of origin. Undoubtedly, some will eventually be recognized as species.
For them to receive taxonomic status sufficient morphological, biological, and molecular
data are required and names must comply with the rules of the International Code for
Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Because the ICZN rules may be interpreted differently
by persons proposing names, original names might be improperly assigned, original
literature might be overlooked, or new scientific methods might be applicable to determining
taxonomic status, the names of species and higher taxa are not immutable. The rapidly
evolving taxonomic status of Cryptosporidium sp. reflects these considerations.
Published by Elsevier Inc.