Neospora caninum: is it really different from Hammondia heydorni or is it a strain of Toxoplasma gondii? An opinion

Abstract

The published data concerning Toxoplasma gondii, Hammondia hammondi, H. heydorni and Neospora caninum on one side and between T. gondii on the other were neglected by most authors. As conclusion we are convinced that there are only two valid species: Isospora (Toxoplasma) gondii and Hammondia heydorni. The first includes as a strain H. hammondi and the latter N. caninum. In any case there is absolutely no reason (with respect to general Zoological nomenclature) to create new genera!