Hexamita is a genus of parasiticdiplomonads. It is related to Giardia.
H. columbae and H. meleagridis live in the intestines of birds.
H. muris and H. pitheci live in the intestines of mammals.
H. salmonis and H. truttae live in the intestines of fish. Species in the Hexamita family are most commonly spread through fecal matter.[1]
The genus also includes the species Hexamita inflata.[2]
It is believed that Hexamita parasites are one possible cause for head and lateral line erosion ("hole-in-the-head disease") in aquarium fishes.
References
^Lloyd D, Williams CF (October 2014). "Comparative biochemistry of Giardia, Hexamita and Spironucleus: Enigmatic diplomonads". Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. 197 (1–2): 43–9. doi:10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.10.002. PMID25448769.
^Moon T, Wilkinson JM, Cavanagh HM (November 2006). "Antiparasitic activity of two Lavandula essential oils against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Hexamita inflata". Parasitol. Res. 99 (6): 722–8. doi:10.1007/s00436-006-0234-8. PMID16741725. S2CID23062010.