A genus of asexual, monogenetic, parasitic flagellates (family Trypanosomatidae) commonly found in the hindgut of insects. [lepto- + G. monas, unit]
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lep·tom·o·nas lep-'täm-ə-nəs n
1) cap a genus of flagellate protozoans of the family Trypanosomatidae that are parasites esp. of the digestive tract of insects and that occur as elongated flagellates with a single anterior flagellum and no undulating membrane
2) pl leptomonas
a) any flagellate protozoan of the genus Leptomonas
b) PROMASTIGOTE
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Lep·to·mo·nas (lep″to-moґnəs) [lepto- + Gr. monas unit, from monos single] a genus of parasitic protozoa of the order Kinetoplastida, phylum Euglenozoa, found in the digestive tract of various insects. The organisms are monogenetic, with promastigote forms dominating in the life cycle; amastigotes and cysts also occur.Medical dictionary. 2011.