Plasmodium relictum
Plasmodium relictum is a species in the genus Plasmodium subgenus Haemamoeba.
Plasmodium relictum | |
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Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Diaphoretickes |
Kingdom: | Chromista |
Subkingdom: | Harosa |
Infrakingdom: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
Class: | Aconoidasida |
Order: | Haemospororida |
Family: | Plasmodiidae |
Genus: | Plasmodium |
Species: | P. relictum |
Binomial name | |
Plasmodium relictum Gilruth, Sweet and Dodd, 1910 | |
Synonyms | |
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It is a parasite, and the most common cause of malaria in birds.
Like all Plasmodium species, P. biziurae has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are birds.
Taxonomy
The parasite was first described by Gilruth, Sweet and Dodd in 1910.
Distribution
P. relcitum is geographically widespread, and is the most widespread malaria parasite of birds.[1]
Hosts
P. relictum infects a wide variety of birds including birds from various orders. Infections in numerous wild birds and experimental animals have been described including partridges, canaries, chickens, ducks, and pigeons. Experimental attempts to infect owls were not successful, suggesting owls may not be susceptible to P. relictum.[1]
References
- Valkiunas, Gediminas. Avian Malaria Parasites and other Haemosporidia. CRC Press. p. 592. ISBN 9780203643792.