Plasmodium lepidoptiformis

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Plasmodium lepidoptiformis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium. [1]

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

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

Contents

[edit] Description

This species was described by Telford and Telford in 2003.

The schizonts are small 4.6 × 3.2 micrometres (range: 3 – 6 × 2.5 – 3) and produce on average 5.1 (4 – 8) merozoites. They frequently resemble a butterfly in appearance.

The gametocytes are elongate, 9.0 × 4.3 micrometres (range: 7 – 10 × 3 – 6), with average length-width product of 38.3 (range: 24 – 51) and length / width ratio of 2.2 (range: 1.3 – 3.3). They are sexually dimorphic, with the macrogametocytes being longer than microgametocytes and having a greater length-width product.

[edit] Geographical occurrence

Found in Venezuela, South America.

[edit] Clinical features and host pathology

The only known host is the lizard Kentropyx calcarata

[edit] References

  1. ^ Telford S. R. Jr. and Telford S. R. III (2003) Rediscovery and redescription of Plasmodium pifanoi and description of two additional Plasmodium parasites of Venezuelan lizards. J. Parasitol. 89(2) 362–368