Fig. 2

Morphological features of erythrocytic meronts and their host cells of avian Plasmodium parasites, which are used for Haemamoeba, Giovannolaia and Huffia species identification. Growing (a–c, f–h, l–p) and mature (d, e, i–k) meronts at different stages of their development. Note presence of the plentiful cytoplasm and large nuclei in early growing meronts (a, b, f–h, m–p), marked vacuolization of the cytoplasm (f–h), elongate shape of mature merozoites (k), presence of meronts in erythroblasts (i, l–n) and other immature red blood cells (k, o, p), and distinct smooth outline in growing erythrocytic meronts (m, n). Short simple arrows—vacuoles. Wide triangle arrowheads—the cytoplasm. Other symbols are as in Fig. 1. Explanations are given in the text