Sauroplasma

Sauroplasma
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukarya
(unranked):	SAR
(unranked):	Alveolata
Phylum:	Apicomplexa
Class:	Aconoidasida
Subclass:	Haemosporidiasina
Order:	Achromatorida
Genus:	Sauroplasma
Species
	;

Sauroplasma is a genus of parasites of the phylum Apicomplexia.

Species in this genus have two hosts (a vertebrate and an invertebrate) in their life cycle: for species in this genus the vertebrate host are lizards. The vectors are not known but ticks have been suggested as possible hosts.

The type species is Sauroplasma thomasi.

History[]

This genus was described in 1938 by du Toit.

Description[]

To date this species has been described from erythrocytes only.

The parasites are amoeboid but frequently adopt a ring shape.

A vacuole is present and occasionally one or more pigment granules.

Schizogony is absent.

Binary fission or budding into two daughter cells occurs.

Host records[]

S. boreale - sand lizard (Lacerta agilis)
S. thomasi - great girdled lizard ()

Unknown species

Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei)
Grand Cayman iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
Cuban rock iguana (Cyclura nubila)
leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus)

References[]

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