The
organism known as cryptosporidium is more accurately known as
Crytposporidium parvum, a
protozoan
parisite which affects not only humans, but dogs, cats and other
mammals. Other species in the genus infect fish, birds,
amphibians and
reptiles. Other than
parvum, the
species muris,
baileyi,
serpentis,
meleagridis,
wrairi,
nasorum,
saurophilum,
felis,
andersoni and
molnari exist. Some of these species are able to cross
taxonomic barriers, such as
C. felis, which can
infect both humans and cats.
The taxonomy of the Cryptosporidia is as follows:
Superkingdom: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Protozoa
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Perkinsiea
Subclass: Coccidia
Order: Eucoccidiidae
Suborder: Eimeriina
Family: Cryptosporidiidae