Plasmodium cnemidophori
Plasmodium cnemidophori is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba. As in all Plasmodium species, P. cnemidophori has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are lizards.
Plasmodium cnemidophori | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | TSAR |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
Class: | Aconoidasida |
Order: | Haemospororida |
Family: | Plasmodiidae |
Genus: | Plasmodium |
Species: | P. cnemidophori |
Binomial name | |
Plasmodium cnemidophori Carini, 1941 | |
Description
The parasite was first described by Carini in 1941.[1]
The schizonts and gametocytes caused hypertrophy and distortion of host cell and nucleus. The nucleus may be displaced.
Pigment is not located in a distinct vacuole.
The schizonts are usually polar in position, rounded in shape, and may produce over 100 merozoites. Large schizonts visibly enlarge the erythrocyte. Mature schizonts measure 13.0 +/- 0.4 (range: 10-15) micrometres x 10.8 +/- 3 (range: 8-13) micrometres.
The gametocytes are elongated and lateral in position.
Mature microgametocytes measure 11.8 +/- 0.9 (range: 10-15) micrometres x 8.8 +/- 0.6 (range:7-10) micrometres.
Distribution
This species is found in Brazil, Panama and Venezuela.
Hosts
This species infects the lizards Ameiva ameiva, and Cnemidophorus lemniscatus lemniscatus.
References
- Carini, A. 1941. Sobre um plasmodio endoglobular e uma Eimeria do lagarto Cnemidophorus lemniscatus lemniscatus. Arch. Biol. S. Paulo 25, 205-208.