Saurocytozoon

Saurocytozoon is a genus of parasitic alveolates. They infect reptiles and are thought to be transmitted by mosquitoes. Only two species have been described to date. Their relationship with the other members of this order is not presently clear.

Saurocytozoon
Scientific classification
(unranked): Diaphoretickes
Clade: TSAR
Clade: SAR
Infrakingdom: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemospororida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Saurocytozoon
Species

Saurocytozoon agamidorum
Saurocytozoon mabuyi
Saurocytozoon tupinambi

Description

Members of this genus infect reptiles. They do not produce pigment nor do they undergo merogony in the blood.

Schizonts are found in the tissues.

Gametocytes are found in the periferal blood. They infect the leukocytes and cause gross distortion of the host cell. The gametocytes are large and round.

Hosts

Skinks (Mabuya mabouya[1])
Tegu (Tupinambis teguixin)

References
  1. Lainson R, Landau I, Shaw JJ (1974). "Observations on non-pigmented haemosporidia of Brazilian lizards, including a new species of Saurocytozoon in Mabuya mabouya (Scincidae)". Parasitology. 69 (2): 215–223. doi:10.1017/S003118200004806X.


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