Mesnilium is a genus of parasitic alveolates belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. Its vertebrate hosts are fish. The vectors are not presently known but are thought likely to be leeches.

Mesnilium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemospororida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Mesnilium
Misra, Haldar and Chakravarty, 1972
Species:
M. malariae
Binomial name
Mesnilium malariae
Misra, Haldar & Chakravarty, 1972

Taxonomy

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The genus was created in 1972 by Misra, Haldar and Chakravarty.[1]

Description

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Merogony occurs in erythrocytes and reticulo-endothelial cells. Gamogony occurs only in erythrocytes and pigment granules are present only in microgamonts and macrogametes.

Hosts

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The only known host of this parasite is the freshwater murrel (Ophicephalus punctatus).

References

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  1. ^ Misra K.K., Haldar D.P. and Chakravarty M.M. (1972) Observations on Mesnilium malariae gen.nov., spec.nov. (Haemosporidia, Sporozoa) from the fresh water teleost, Ophicephalus punctatus Bloch. Arch. Protistenkd 114, 444-452