Huffia

Huffia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemospororida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Plasmodium
Subgenus: Huffia
Corradetti et al., 1963
Species

Huffia is a subgenus of the genus Plasmodium - all of which are parasites. The subgenus was created in 1963 by Corradetti et al..[1] Species in this subgenus infect birds with malaria.[2]

This subgenus is named in honour of the Dr. Clay G. Huff.[3]

Description

Species in the subgenus Huffia have the following characteristics:[citation needed]

  • Mature schizonts, while varying in shape and size, contain plentiful cytoplasm and are commonly found in immature erthryocytes.
  • Gametocytes are elongated.[2]

P. huffi had been considered 'lost' since it hadn't been observed since its discovery in the 1950s, however it was re-discovered in toucans in 2021.[4]

References

  1. ^ Corradetti A.; Garnham P.C.C.; Laird M. (1963). "New classification of the avian malaria parasites". Parassitologia. 5: 1–4.
  2. ^ a b Landau, I.; Chavatte, J.M.; Peters, W.; Chabaud, Alain (2010). "The sub-genera of Avian Plasmodium". Parasite. 17 (1). EDP Sciences: 3–7. doi:10.1051/parasite/2010171003. ISSN 1252-607X. PMID 20387732.Open access icon
  3. ^ Valkiunas, Gediminas (2004-10-28). Avian Malaria Parasites and other Haemosporidia. CRC Press. p. 719. ISBN 978-0-203-64379-2.
  4. ^ Cedrola, Franciane; Martinele, Isabel; Senra, Marcus Vinicius Xavier; Furtado, Elen Juliana de Oliveira; D′Agosto, Marta; Dias, Roberto Júnio Pedroso (2021-08-10). "Rediscovery of Plasmodium (Huffia) huffi (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida): a lost lineage from toucans". Parasitology Research. 120 (9): 3287–3296. doi:10.1007/s00436-021-07273-x. ISSN 1432-1955. PMID 34374851. S2CID 236969753.