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.
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.
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 bigueti is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Plasmodium octamerium is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Giovannolaia.
Plasmodium booliati is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia. As in all Plasmodium species, P. booliati has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are mammals.
Plasmodium brygooi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertamoeba.
Plasmodium robinsoni is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Plasmodium floridense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertaemoba. As in all Plasmodium species, P. floridense has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are lizards.
Plasmodium cyclopsi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia.
Plasmodium coulangesi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia. As in all Plasmodium species, P. coulangesi has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are mammals.
Plasmodium coggeshalli is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Haemamoeba.
Plasmodium kentropyxi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Plasmodium percygarnhami is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia. As in all Plasmodium species, P. percygarnhami has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are mammals.
Plasmodium accipiteris is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Plasmodium buteonis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Giovannolaia.
Plasmodium neusticuri is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
The Haemosporida are an order of intraerythrocytic parasitic alveolates.
Plasmodium alaudae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
