Plasmodium giganteum
Plasmodium giganteum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Like all Plasmodium species P. giganteum has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
| Plasmodium giganteum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Protista |
| Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
| Class: | Aconoidasida |
| Order: | Haemosporida |
| Family: | Plasmodiidae |
| Genus: | Plasmodium |
| Species: | P. giganteum |
| Binomial name | |
| Plasmodium giganteum | |
Description
The parasite was first described by Theiler in 1930.
The schizonts produce over 100 merozoites.
Geographical occurrence
This species is found in Sierra Leone, Africa.
Clinical features and host pathology
This species infects the rainbow lizard (Agama agama) and the agamid lizard (Amphibolurus barbatus).
Further Reading
Schall, JJ; Bromwich, CR (April 1994). "INTERSPECIFIC INTERACTIONS TESTED - 2 SPECIES OF MALARIAL PARASITE IN A WEST-AFRICAN LIZARD". OECOLOGIA 97 (3): 326-332.