Plasmodium agamae

Plasmodium agamae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.

Like all Plasmodium species it has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate host is the rainbow lizard Agama agama. The vectors are Lutzomyia or Culicoides species.

Plasmodium agamae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Protista
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemosporida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Plasmodium
Species: P. agamae
Binomial name
Plasmodium agamae

Description

This species was described by Wenyon in 1909.

The schizonts produce 8 merozoites.

Geographical distribution

Much of Africa.

Clinical features and pathological findings

Host species infected by this paraiste include Agama colonorum.

Infection with P. agamae induces anaemia in its host which in turn reduces running stamina. Infection with P. agamae alone does not reduce the number of eggs laid by the females but simultaneous coinfection with P. giganteum may result in a reduction in the clutch size by two thirds.

Fever occurs but is irregular.

References

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