Plasmodiidae

The Plasmodiidae are a family of apicomplexan parasites, including the type genus Plasmodium, which is responsible for malaria. This genus was created in 1903 by Mesnil.

They are given their own order - the Haemosporida.

Diagnostic criteria

The diagnostic criteria of this family are:

• macrogametes and microgamonts develop independently
• syzygy absent
• microgametocyte produces 8 flagellated microgametes
• zygote is motile (known as an ookinete)
• conoid present in ookinete stage only
• sporozoites naked in oocyst (that is without a sporocyst)
• heteroxenous: merogony and gamogony occur in vertebrate host and fertilization and sporogony in definitive host (a blood sucking insect)
• hemozoin pigment produced in some genera

Related genera

Currently there are a number of genera recognised in this family. Like many of the protist groupings these may be significantly revised in light of findings from the DNA sequences. While more complete listings of the vertebrate host species can be found on the genus pages, typical hosts are given here.

Biguetiella - bats
Billbraya
Bioccala - bats
Dionisia - bats
Haemoproteus - birds, reptiles, amphibians
Hepatocystis - bats, monkeys, hippopotamus, squirrels
Leukocytozoon - birds
Mesnilium - fish
Nycteria - bats
Plasmodium - mammals, birds and reptiles
Polchromophilus - bats
Rayella - flying squirrels
Saurocytozoon - reptiles

Related species

Families:
Lankesterellidae

• Lainsonia
• Lankesterella
• Schellackia

Genera:

The hameogregarines:
Cyrilia
Desseria
Hepatozoon
Hemogregarina
Hemolivia
Karyolysus

Others:
Chelonplasma
Pirhemocyton
Sauroplasma
Serpentoplasma

References

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