Plasmodium unalis

Plasmodium unalis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Novyella. As in all Plasmodium species, P. unalis has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are birds.

Plasmodium unalis
Scientific classification
(unranked): Diaphoretickes
Clade: TSAR
Clade: SAR
Infrakingdom: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemospororida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Plasmodium
Subgenus: Novyella
Species:
P. unalis
Binomial name
Plasmodium unalis
Mantilla et al, 2013

Taxonomy

It was described in 2013 by Mantilla et al.[1]

Description

This species is most similar to Plasmodium vaughani. It is characterized by:

  • the presence of a single large, circular shaped pigment granule in the erythrocytic trophozoites and meronts
  • the presence of prominent vacuoles in trophozoites and growing meronts
  • the presence of predominantly fan shaped erythrocytic meronts

Distribution

This species occurs in Colombia. It may also be present in other countries in Americas.

Vectors

Not known.

Hosts

This species infects the great thrush (Turdus fuscater).

References
  1. Mantilla JS, González AD, Valkiūnas G, Moncada LI, Matta NE. Description and molecular characterization of Plasmodium (Novyella) unalis sp. nov. from the Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater) in highland of Colombia. Parasitol Res
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