Plasmodium lepidoptiformis

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

Plasmodium lepidoptiformis
Scientific classification
(unranked): Diaphoretickes
Clade: TSAR
Clade: SAR
Infrakingdom: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemospororida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Plasmodium
Species:
P. lepidoptiformis
Binomial name
Plasmodium lepidoptiformis
Telford and Telford, 2003

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

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.

Distribution

Found in Venezuela, South America.

Hosts

The only known vertebrate host is the lizard Kentropyx calcarata

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
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