Plasmodium loveridgei is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Like all Plasmodium species P. loveridgei has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
Plasmodium loveridgei | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Protista |
Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
Class: | Aconoidasida |
Order: | Haemosporida |
Family: | Plasmodiidae |
Genus: | Plasmodium |
Species: | P. loveridgei |
Binomial name | |
Plasmodium loveridgei |
Contents |
The parasite was first described by Telford in 1984.[1]
Young schizonts elongate and narrow with acuminate ends. Mature schizonts are polymorphic, are usually larger than host cell nuclei, and give rise to 6-26 merozoites.
Immature gametocytes like young schizonts are elongate and narrow, with acuminate ends. Mature gametocytes are elongate averaging 3 times the host cell nucleus size and have dispersed pigment.
This species is found in the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.
This species infects the lizard Lygodactylus picturatus.