[3] This is because all species share similar morphology, which would present challenges when trying to make classifications based on structural anatomy.

[5] Retort- is derived from the Latin re-torqueo – “to twist back” while the Greek term monas- “one unit, single” refers to its singularity.

[4] In more recent findings, a study on the presence of parasites in the intestinal contents of ostriches conducted by a team in Spain 2001 discovered that this genus infected these birds.

In previous studies, it was determined that Retortamonas species infect a wide range of hosts including mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects.

[4] In addition, it was found that Retortamonas infecting humans (R. intestinalis) and other mammals are most likely the same species, and transfer between mammalian hosts likely occurs through zoonotic transmission.

[5] The rate of infection of Retortamonas was found to be higher during the summer months in one study conducted in Spain, supporting this idea.

[8] However, the study did show overcrowded areas and regions of poorer sanitation act as environmental factors that play a key role in the prevalence of the parasite[8] A lack of sanitation practices often results in a higher probability of exposure to contaminated feces or other objects likely to carry infection, and paired with high-density populations, this can allow for more rapid transmission between individuals.

Retortamonas is adapted to low-oxygen environments, and thus live in such habitats like the intestinal tract of organisms where oxygen levels are extremely low.

[2] Retortamonas trophozoites have been found to feed on the intestinal bacteria of a wide variety of vertebrates including mammalian, avian, and amphibian hosts, as well as invertebrates, such as insects.

[2][5] The cysts are usually found living in food and water while they wait to be taken up by the next host and continue the spread of transmission via the fecal-oral route.

The probability of finding either or both the cyst and trophozoite stage in feces is very low, and often up to thousands of samples are required before detection is achieved.

[5] Since this genus does not cause any disease-like symptoms, diagnosis usually only occurs when it is being specifically looked for, such as in studies targeting presence of Retortamonas in patients.

[7] All species have an enlarged feeding groove acting as the mouth of the organism and a small nucleus located in the anterior region of the cell body.

[1] The feeding groove, located near the nucleus, is divided into two sections; an anterior and a posterior pocket positioned in the upper region and deeper within the cell respectively.

[7] The anterior flagellum aids in locomotion by moving in a whip-like motion, allowing the cell body to propel forward.