Schellackia is transmitted via insect vectors, primarily mites and mosquitoes, which take up the parasite in blood meals.
[6] In more recent years, however, molecular characterization methods have allowed a more precise determination of species identity and their phylogenetic relationship.
The parasite utilizes both merogony (asexual) and gametogony (sexual), with both processes occurring within the mucosal epithelium of the duodenum of infected hosts.
Although they have primarily been studied in lizards, they have been found to infect other animals including the Brazilian tree-frog, Phrynohyas venulosa.
[7] Schellackia gametocytes are contained within parasitophorous vacuoles consisting of two membranes that are connected by numerous points of contact.
Microgametes have flagella with a typical 9+2 axoneme structure, and five microtubules run parallel to the nucleus along the length of the gamete.
The presence of a high density of amylopectin granules in the cytoplasm causes it to have a foamy appearance, a characteristic maintained in the zygote.
One or two refractile bodies are also present, as well as multiple large mitochondria, amylopectin granules, and micronemes that extend from the apical tip along the length of the sporozoites.
[10] An important defining characteristic of the genus Schellackia is its octonucleate oocyst stage within the small intestine of a primary host – a combination of the presence of such oocysts as well as a lack of other parasites within the geographical area which share similar characteristics is sufficient to identify the genus.
[11] The oocysts are enclosed in a translucent wall that is partially impermeable to Giemsa stain, and the cells leave behind empty rounded spaces upon expiration.