Plasmodium uluguruense

Plasmodium uluguruense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.

Plasmodium uluguruense
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemospororida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Plasmodium
Species:
P. uluguruense
Binomial name
Plasmodium uluguruense
Telford, 1984

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

Description edit

The parasite was first described by Telford in 1984.[1]

Young schizonts are elongate with blunt ends and become oval or round following the second nuclear division. Mature schizonts are smaller than the host cell nuclei, produce 4-12 merozoites and are usually arranged as a fan.

Immature gametocytes like young schizonts are elongate with blunt ends. Mature gametocytes are usually oval and approximate the host cell nuclei in size. Their pigment granules concentrated in a single focus.

Geographical occurrence edit

This species is found in the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.

Clinical features and host pathology edit

This species infects the lizard Hemidactylus platycephalus.

References edit

  1. ^ Telford, Jr S.R. (1984) Studies on African saurian malarias: Three Plasmodium species from gekkonid hosts J. Parasitol. 70 (3) 343-354