Plasmodium cnemidophori is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Like all Plasmodium species P. cnemidophori has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are lizards.
| Plasmodium achiotense | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Protista |
| Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
| Class: | Aconoidasida |
| Order: | Haemosporida |
| Family: | Plasmodiidae |
| Genus: | Plasmodium |
| Species: | P. cnemidophori |
| Binomial name | |
| Plasmodium cnemidophori |
|
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The parasite was first described by Carini in 1941.[1]
The schizonts and gametocytes caused hypertrophy and distortion of host cell and nucleus. The nucleus may be displaced.
Pigment is not located in a distinct vacuole.
The schizonts are usually polar in position, rounded in shape, and may produce over 100 merozoites. Large schizonts visibly enlarge the erythrocyte. Mature schizonts measure 13.0 +/- 0.4 (range: 10-15) micrometres x 10.8 +/- 3 (range: 8-13) micrometres.
The gametocytes are elongated and lateral in position.
Mature microgametocytes measure 11.8 +/- 0.9 (range: 10-15) micrometres x 8.8 +/- 0.6 (range:7-10) micrometres.
This species is found in Venezuela, Brazil and Panama.
This species infects the lizards Ameiva ameiva, and Cnemidophorus lemniscatus lemniscatus.