Plasmodium scorzai

Plasmodium scorzai is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.

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

Plasmodium scorzai
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Protista
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemosporida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Plasmodium
Species: P. scorzai
Binomial name
Plasmodium scorzai

Description

The parasite was first described by Telford in 1978.[1]

The schizonts are often rounded or elongated or occasionally fan-shaped and produce 11 to 35 merozoites.

Gametocytes are always elongated and usually lie diagonally across one end of the host cell or laterally to the nucleus.

Geographical occurrence

This species is found in Venezuela, South America.

Clinical features and host pathology

The only known host of this species is the gekko Phyllodactylus ventralis.

References

  1. Telford S. R, Jr (1978) The saurian malarias of Venezuela: haemosporidian parasites of gekkonid lizards. Int. J. Parasitol. 8(5)341 - 353


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