The Apicomplexa are organisms of a large phylum of mainly parasitic alveolates. Most possess a unique form of organelle structure that comprises a type of (non-photosynthetic) plastid called an apicoplast—with an apical complex membrane. The organelle's apical shape is an adaptation that the apicomplexan applies in penetrating a host cell.
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.
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.
Plasmodium ashfordi is a species of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Papernaia.
Plasmodium brumpti is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba. As in all Plasmodium species, P. brumpti has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
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 durae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Giovannolaia.
Plasmodium icipeensis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Plasmodium polare is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Papernaia.
Plasmodium achiotense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
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.
Avian malaria is a parasitic disease of birds, caused by parasite species belonging to the genera Plasmodium and Hemoproteus. The disease is transmitted by a dipteran vector including mosquitoes in the case of Plasmodium parasites and biting midges for Hemoproteus. The range of symptoms and effects of the parasite on its bird hosts is very wide, from asymptomatic cases to drastic population declines due to the disease, as is the case of the Hawaiian honeycreepers. The diversity of parasites is large, as it is estimated that there are approximately as many parasites as there are species of hosts. As research on human malaria parasites became difficult, Dr. Ross studied avian malaria parasites. Co-speciation and host switching events have contributed to the broad range of hosts that these parasites can infect, causing avian malaria to be a widespread global disease, found everywhere except Antarctica.
Plasmodium accipiteris is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Plasmodium alloelongatum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
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.
