The jack jumper ant is a host to the parasite gregarines (Gregarinasina). One of the most studied gregarines is Gregarina garnhami. While similar to that of the gregarines it differs in zygote formation. DNA studies suggest a relationship with the gregarines rather than the coccidia. There are ~900 species of septate gregarines and ~400 of aseptate. The main difference between the coccidians and the gregarines is in the gamonts. A second difference between the coccidia and the gregarines also lies in the gamonts. The aseptate species are mostly marine gregarines. The marine gregarines are the most poorly studied members of this order. The coccidians and gregarines appear to be relatively closely related. In the gregarines, these are large, extracellular, and possess epimerites or mucrons. The gregarines were recognised as a taxon by Grasse in 1953. He has separated gregarines into three classes. The Haemosporidia are related to the gregarines, and the piroplasms and coccidians are sister groups. The gregarines are generally parasites of annelids, arthropods, and mollusks.