Garnia (Apicomplexa) Explained

Garnia is a genus of parasitic alveolates belonging to the phylum Apicomplexia.

History

The genus was created in 1971 by Lainson et al.[1]

Description

Ulike members of the Plasmodiidae and Haemoproteidae, species in this genus do not produce pigment when developing in the erythrocytes.

Species in this genus are distinguished from members of the Leucocytozoidae by their schizogony in the red and white cells of the peripheral blood.

The vectors of this genus are not known but it is suspected that phlebotomine sandflies may act in this regard.[2]

The type species is Garnia gonatodi.

Hosts

Species in this genus infect lizards.

Geographic distribution

This genus has been described in South America.

Notes and References

  1. Lainson R, Landau I and Shaw J.J. (1971) On a new family of non-pigmented parasites in the blood of reptiles: Garniidae fam. nov., (Coccidiida: Haemosporidiidea). Some species of the new genus Garnia. Int. J. Parasitol. 1, (3-4) 241-244
  2. Lainson. R.. Naiff. R.D.. Garnia karyolytica n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Haemosporina: Garniidae), a blood parasite of the Brazilian lizard Thecodactylus rapicaudus (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Parasite. 6. 3. 1999. 209–215. 1252-607X. 10.1051/parasite/1999063209. 10511968. free.