A taxonomic class of parasitic protozoans that primarily infect the intestines of animals and humans.
From 'coccidium' (the singular genus) + '-idea' (taxonomic suffix for a class). The root 'coccidium' comes from Greek 'kokkos' (berry) because these organisms resemble berries under the microscope.
Coccidiosis—the disease caused by these parasites—affects billions of chickens in farming worldwide, costing the poultry industry millions annually, which is why understanding these berry-shaped microorganisms is crucial for agriculture.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.