Plasmodium is a genus of unicellular eukaryotes that are obligate parasites of vertebrates and insects. The life cycles of Plasmodium species involve development in a blood-feeding insect host which then injects parasites into a vertebrate host during a blood meal. Parasites grow within a vertebrate body tissue before entering the bloodstream to infect red blood cells. The ensuing destruction of host red blood cells can result in malaria. During this infection, some parasites are picked up by a blood-feeding insect, continuing the life cycle.
The Plasmodiidae are a family of apicomplexan parasites, including the type genus Plasmodium, which is responsible for malaria. This family was erected in 1903 by Mesnil and is one of the four families in the order Haemospororida.
Giovanolaia is a subgenus of the genus Plasmodium created by Corradetti et al. in 1963. The parasites within this subgenus infect birds.
Novyella is a subgenus of the genus Plasmodium - all of which are parasites. The subgenus was created in 1963 by Corradetti et al. Species in this subgenus infect birds. It unites the avian malaria parasites with small erythrocytic meronts and elongated gametocytes.
Plasmodium minasense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Carinamoeba.
Plasmodium cnemaspi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Plasmodium brygooi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
Plasmodium robinsoni is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Plasmodium sasai is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Plasmodium diploglossi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba. As in all Plasmodium species, P. diploglossi has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
Lacertamoeba is a subgenus of the genus Plasmodium — all of which are parasites. All species in this subgenus infect reptiles.
Plasmodium beltrani is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba. As in all Plasmodium species, P. beltrani has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are spiny lizards.
Plasmodium zonuriae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
Plasmodium achiotense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Carinamoeba.
Plasmodium attenuatum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Carinamoeba.
Plasmodium uluguruense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
Plasmodium loveridgei is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
The Haemosporida are an order of intraerythrocytic parasitic alveolates.
Plasmodium scelopori is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Carinamoeba.
