Haemoproteus columbae explained

Haemoproteus columbae is a species of blood parasite related to Plasmodium and other malaria parasites.^[1]

Haemoproteus columbae is a true member of the genus Haemoproteus, basal to other avian Parahaemoproteus species.^[2] Parahaemoproteus species have been subsequently split from Haemoproteus and are recognized as their own genus, sister to Plasmodium malaria parasites.^[3]

Transmission

Haemoproteus columbae is transmitted by the pigeon louse fly, Pseudolynchia canariensis.

Pathology or host effects of infection with H. columbae

Haemoproteus columbae infects pigeons. It is usually benign and does not reduce survival of its host.^[4] However, it can sometimes be fatal to young pigeons.^[5]

It is slated for genome sequencing.

Notes and References

1. Cox FE . History of the discovery of the malaria parasites and their vectors . . 3 . 1 . 5 . 2010 . 20205846 . 2825508 . 10.1186/1756-3305-3-5 . free .
2. Toscani Field. Jasper. Weinberg. Josh. Bensch. Staffan. Matta. Nubia E.. Valkiūnas. Gediminas. Sehgal. Ravinder N. M.. 2018. Delineation of the Genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium Using RNA-Seq and Multi-gene Phylogenetics. Journal of Molecular Evolution. 86. 9. 646–654. 10.1007/s00239-018-9875-3. 1432-1432. 30426144. 6430206. 2018JMolE..86..646T .
3. Martinsen. Ellen S.. Perkins. Susan L.. Schall. Jos J.. 2008-04-01. A three-genome phylogeny of malaria parasites (Plasmodium and closely related genera): Evolution of life-history traits and host switches. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 47. 1. 261–273. 10.1016/j.ympev.2007.11.012. 18248741. 1055-7903.
4. Knutie . Sarah A. . Waite . Jessica L. . Clayton . Dale H. . 2013 . Does avian malaria reduce fledging success: an experimental test of the selection hypothesis . Evolutionary Ecology . en . 27 . 1 . 185–191 . 10.1007/s10682-012-9578-y . 2013EvEco..27..185K . 254468163 . 0269-7653.
5. Markus . Miles B. . Oosthuizen . J.H. . 1972 . Pathogenicity of Haemoproteus columbae . Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene . en . 66 . 1 . 186–187 . 10.1016/0035-9203(72)90072-7. 4625895 .