Plasmodium brygooisp. n. fromChamaeleo brevicornisof Madagascar, with a redescription ofPlasmodium robinsoni(Brygoo, 1962) from its type host and an additional host,Chamaeleo parsoni crucifer

Abstract

SUMMARY. Plasmodium brygooi sp. n., described from Chamaeleo brevicornis of Madagascar, has schizonts smaller than or equal to host cell nucleus size. Schizonts produce 10-16 merozoites usually arranged peripherally around clusters of dark pigment granules. Gametocytes, oval or elongate, average slightly larger than host cell nuclei. Schizonts and gametocytes usually lie polar in enlarged erythrocytes. Hypertrophy of host cell nuclei is produced by schizonts but not by gametocytes. Plasmodium robinsoni (Brygoo) 1962 is a much larger parasite of C. brevicornis and Chamaeleo parsoni crucifer. Schizonts are round, oval or elongate, and approximate gameto­ cytes in size. The 40-74 merozoites fill schizonts which usually contain a single, central large mass of golden pigment. Gametocytes are oval to elongate or bulky, with macrogametocytes larger and less elongate than microgametocytes. Both schizonts and gametocytes average three times or more the size of host cell nuclei. Host cells of asexual or sexual stages show hypertrophy but only erythrocytes parasitized by schizonts have enlarged nuclei.