Sauroplasma
| Sauroplasma | |
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| Genus: | Sauroplasma
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| Species | |
Sauroplasma is a genus of parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa.
Species in this genus have two hosts (a vertebrate and an invertebrate) in their life cycle: for species in this genus the vertebrate host are lizards. The vectors are not known but ticks have been suggested as possible hosts.
The type species is Sauroplasma thomasi.
History[edit]
This genus was described in 1938 by du Toit.
Description[edit]
To date this species has been described from erythrocytes only.
The parasites are amoeboid but frequently adopt a ring shape.
A vacuole is present and occasionally one or more pigment granules.
Schizogony is absent.
Binary fission or budding into two daughter cells occurs.
Host records[edit]
- S. boreale - sand lizard (Lacerta agilis)
- S. thomasi - great girdled lizard (Zonurus giganteus)
Unknown species
- Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei)
- Grand Cayman iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
- Cuban rock iguana (Cyclura nubila)
- leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus)
References[edit]
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