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.
Plasmodium achiotense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Plasmodium agamae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba. As in all Plasmodium species, it has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate host is the rainbow lizard. The vectors are Lutzomyia or Culicoides species.
Plasmodium atheruri is a species of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia. As in all members of this genus, it is parasitic on vertebrate and insect hosts. The natural vertebrate host is the African porcupine but it is possible to infect the large vesper mouse and Meriones unguiculatus.
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 ashfordi is a species of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Papernaia.
Plasmodium octamerium is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Giovannolaia.
Plasmodium caprae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia.
Plasmodium arachniformis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
Plasmodium achromaticum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia.
Plasmodium melanipherum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia. As in all Plasmodium species, P. melanipherum has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are mammals.
Plasmodium draconis is a species of apicomplexan parasite in the family Plasmodiidae.
Plasmodium kentropyxi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Plasmodium lionatum is a species of apicomplexan parasite in the family Plasmodiidae. Like all Plasmodium species P. lionatum has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are lizards.
Plasmodium alloelongatum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Plasmodium buteonis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Giovannolaia.
Plasmodium anomaluri is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia. As in all Plasmodium species, P. anomaluri has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are mammals.
Plasmodium neusticuri is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Plasmodium alaudae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
