Keys to the avian Haemoproteus parasites (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Haemoproteus is a sister genus to malaria parasites (Plasmodium), which both belong to the order Haemosporida (Apicomplexa). Parasites of both genera are flourishing in birds, however, Haemoproteus species are noticeably less investigated. This is unfortunate because knowledge about close relatives of malaria pathogens is important for better understanding the evolutionary origin and basic biological features of the entire group of haemosporidian infections. Moreover, recent findings show that Haemoproteus species can cause severe damage of various bird organs due to megalomeronts and other exo-erythrocytic stages. These haemosporidians are remarkably diverse, but remain neglected partly due to difficulties in species identification. Hundreds of Haemoproteus genetic line

SUBMITTER: Valkiunas G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9487097 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature