Plasmodium lionatum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Asiamoeba.
Like all Plasmodium species P. achiotense has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are lizards.
| Plasmodium lionatum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Protista |
| Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
| Class: | Aconoidasida |
| Order: | Haemosporida |
| Family: | Plasmodiidae |
| Genus: | Plasmodium |
| Species: | P. lionatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Plasmodium lionatum |
|
Contents |
The parasite was first described by Telford in 1982.[1]
The asexual stages rarely disturb the host cell. The gametocytes may distort the cell or displace the nucleus.
Mature schizonts are 4.0 - 6.0 micrometres x 1.5 - 3.0 micrometres in size and give rise to 4-6 merozoites. Schizonts tend to lie lateral to the nucleus.
The mature gametocytes vary in size: 5.0 - 12.0 x 2.0 - 6.0 micrometres and tend to be elongated in shape.
This species is found in Thailand.
The only known host is the flying gecko (Ptychozoon lionatum)