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 achiotense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Plasmodium aegyptensis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia which infects the Egyptian grass rat. The insect vector(s) for this species is not yet known.
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 paranucleophilum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Novyella. As in all Plasmodium species, P. paranucleophilum has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are birds.
Plasmodium brygooi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
Plasmodium caprae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia.
Plasmodium arachniformis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
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 fischeri is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
Plasmodium wenyoni is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium. As in all Plasmodium species, P. wenyoni has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
Plasmodium guyannense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba. As in all Plasmodium species, P. guyannense has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
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 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.
