Plasmodium lygosomae explained

Plasmodium lygosomae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Carinamoeba.

Like all Plasmodium species P. lygosomae has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.

Description

The parasite was first described by Laird in 1951.[1]

The schizonts give rise to 4 merozoites.

The gametocytes are elongate in form.

Distribution

This species is found in New Zealand.

Hosts

The only known host is the lizard Lygosoma moco. This host species has recently been renamed Oligosoma moco.

Notes and References

  1. Laird. M.. Plasmodium lygosomae n. sp. a parasite of a New Zealand skink, Lygosoma moco (Gray, 1839). Journal of Parasitology. 1951. 37. 2. 183–189. 10.2307/3273451. 3273451. 14841563.