Plasmodium acuminatum

Plasmodium acuminatum
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. acuminatum
Binomial name
Plasmodium acuminatum
Pringle, 1960

Plasmodium acuminatum is a species in the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.

This species is a protozoan parasite which infects reptiles. Originally described in 1960 infecting Chamaeleo fischeri in Tanzania, this species has not been observed since. As such, little is known about the life cycle and prevalence of the parasite, and its insect host has not been identified.[1]

Description

Plasmodium acuminatum was described by Pringle in 1960, and has not been described since.[1] Parasites were described as having distinctive pointed cytoplasmic projections at either end of the cell. Schizonts contain 6 to 9 nuclei.[1]

Hosts

The only known host of P. acuminatum is Chamaeleo fischeri. The insect host is not known.[1]

Geographical occurrence

Plasmodium acuminatum was originally isolated from the Tanga Region, Tanzania.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Telford SR, ed. (2016). Hemoparasites of the Reptilia: Color Atlas and Text. CRC Press. p. 20. ISBN 9781420080414. Retrieved 5 June 2016.