Plasmodium cnemaspi

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

Like all "Plasmodium" species "P. cnemaspi" has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are lizards.

Taxobox
color = khaki
name = "Plasmodium cnemaspi"
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image_width =
regnum = Protista
phylum = Apicomplexa
classis = Aconoidasida
ordo = Haemosporida
familia = Plasmodiidae
genus = "Plasmodium"
species = "P. cnemaspi"
binomial = "Plasmodium cnemaspi"

Description

The parasite was first described by Telford in 1984. Telford, Jr S.R. (1984) Studies on African saurian malarias: Three "Plasmodium" species from gekkonid hosts J. Parasitol. 70 (3) 343-354 ]

The schizonts are usually round, oval or oblong, exceed the host cell nuclei in size and produce 8-20 merozoites.

The gametocytes are elongate or oval and have dispersed pigment averaging twice the size of host cell nuclei in size. In chronic infections, gametocytes may become rounded and cause both host cell and nucleus to shrink.

Geographical occurrence

This species is found in the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.

Clinical features and host pathology

This species infects the lizard "Cnemaspis africana".

Geographical occurrence

Clinical features and host pathology

References