Plasmodium agamae

Plasmodium agamae is a parasite of the genus "Plasmodium" subgenus "Sauramoeba".

Like all "Plasmodium" species it has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate host is the rainbow lizard "Agama agama". The vectors are Lutzomyia or Culicoides species.

Taxobox
color = khaki
name = "Plasmodium agamae"
image_caption =


image_width =
regnum = Protista
phylum = Apicomplexa
classis = Aconoidasida
ordo = Haemosporida
familia = Plasmodiidae
genus = "Plasmodium"
species = "P. agamae"
binomial = "Plasmodium agamae"

Description

This species was described by Wenyon in 1909.

The schizonts produce 8 merozoites.

Geographical distribution

Much of Africa.

Clinical features and pathological findings

Host species infected by this paraiste include "Agama colonorum".

Infection with "P. agamae" induces anaemia in its host which in turn reduces running stamina. Infection with "P. agamae" alone does not reduce the number of eggs laid by the females but simultaneous coinfection with "P. giganteum" may result in a reduction in the clutch size by two thirds.

Fever occurs but is irregular.

References

External links

* [http://www.uvm.edu/~jschall/lizardmalaria/pagamae01.html Images]
* Notes on its virulence [http://www.jstor.org/view/00458511/ap050466/05a00050/0]