Plasmodium loveridgei

"Plasmodium loveridgei" is a parasite of the genus "Plasmodium".

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

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


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

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 ]

Young schizonts elongate and narrow with acuminate ends. Mature schizonts are polymorphic, are usually larger than host cell nuclei, and give rise to 6-26 merozoites.

Immature gametocytes like young schizonts are elongate and narrow, with acuminate ends. Mature gametocytes are elongate averaging 3 times the host cell nucleus size and have dispersed pigment.

Geographical occurrence

This species is found in the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.

Clinical features and host pathology

This species infects the lizard "Lygodactylus picturatus".

References