Plasmodium atheruri
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. atheruri
Binomial name
Plasmodium atheruri
den Berghe, Peel, Chardome and Lambrecht, 1958

Plasmodium atheruri is a species of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia. As in all members of this genus, it is parasitic on vertebrate and insect hosts. The natural vertebrate host is the African porcupine (Atherurus africanus) but it is possible to infect the large vesper mouse (Calomys callosus) and Meriones unguiculatus.

Taxonomy

This species was described in 1958 by den Berghe, Peel, Chardome and Lambrecht.

Description

Exoerythrocytic schizogony in this species usually lasts 4 to 6 days but occasionally schizonts have been found in the liver at day 8. Two types of infection are recognised: an acute form characterised by large trophozoites, schizonts with 8 to 16 merozoites, gametocytes and infectivity to Anopheles species; and a chronic form following the acute form by 15 to 21 days and which is characterized by small trophozoites and schizonts producing 4 merozoites.

Vectors

Distribution

This species is found in Africa.

References


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