Page "Apicomplexa" Paragraph 10

The first apicomplexan protozoan was seen by Antony van Leeuwenhoek who in 1674 saw oocysts of Eimeria stiedae in the gall bladder of a rabbit.

The first member of the phylum to be named ( by Dufour in 1828 ) was Gregarina ovata in earwigs.

Since then many more have been identified and named.

During the quarter century 1826-1850, 41 species and 6 genera of Apicomplexa were named.

In the quarter century 1951-1975, 1873 new species and 83 new genera were added.