Plasmodium gracilis
Plasmodium gracilis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Like all Plasmodium species P. gracilis has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
| Plasmodium gracilis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Protista
|
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | P. gracilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Plasmodium gracilis | |
Description[]
The parasite was first described by Telford and Wellehan in 2005.[1]
Neither the schizonts nor the gametocytes have any effect upon dimensions of host erythrocytes or their nuclei.
The schizonts average 4.3 x 3.5 micrometres (range: 3.0 - 6.0 x 3.0 - 5.0) in size.
They produce on average 4.9 merozoites (range: 3.0 - 8.0) which are usually arranged as a fan.
The gametocytes average 5.9 x 5.5 micrometre (range: 5.0 - 6.6 x 5.0 - 6.0). The length x width product is 31.9 micrometre^2 (range: 25 - 40) and the length/width ratio is 1.06 (1.0 - 1.2).
The gametocytes are not sexually dimorphic in either size or shape.
Geographical occurrence[]
This species is found in New Guinea.
Clinical features and host pathology[]
This species infects the crocodile skink Tribolonotus gracilis.
References[]
- ^ Telford S.R. Jr, Wellehan J.F. Jr. (2005) Two Plasmodium species of the crocodile skink Tribolonotus gracilis from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. J. Parasitol. 91(1):148-151
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