Table 6 Key to Huffia species

1 (2)

Development and maturation of gametocytes occurs in various immature red blood cells, including erythroblasts (Fig. 4y). The outline of nuclei in growing erythrocytic meronts (Fig. 2m, n) as well as growing and mature gametocytes (Fig. 4y) is smooth, and boundaries between nuclei and the cytoplasm are strictly distinct (Figs. 2m, n; 4y)

………………………………………………… P. polymorphum [59]

2 (1)

Development and maturation of gametocytes occurs only in mature or nearly mature red blood cells (Fig. 4p, q); gametocytes do not develop in erythroblasts. The outline of nuclei in growing erythrocytic meronts (Fig. 2l, o, p) as well as growing and mature gametocytes (Fig. 4p, q) is markedly variable, predominantly not smooth, and boundaries between the nuclei and the cytoplasm are often poorly distinct (Figs. 2o, p; 4p, q), particularly in the growing parasites

3 (6)

In peripheral blood, trophozoites and erythrocytic meronts develop mainly in young red blood cells. Maximum number of merozoites in erythrocytic meronts is less than 20

4 (5)

Elongated erythrocytic merozoites are present (Fig. 2k). Fully grown gametocytes are slender; they do not displace or only slightly displace the nuclei of infected erythrocytes laterally (Fig. 4p, q). Maximum width of fully grown gametocytes is equal or less than the width of nuclei of host cells (Fig. 4p, q)

………………………………………………… P. elongatum [1, 8, 23, 119, 120]

5 (4)

Elongated erythrocytic merozoites (Fig. 2k) are absent. Fully grown gametocytes are broad; they markedly displace the nuclei of infected erythrocytes laterally and can fill the poles of infected erythrocytes completely (Fig. 5l). Maximum width of fully grown gametocytes is greater than the width of nuclei of host cells (Fig. 5l)

………………………………………………… P. hermani [8, 120, 121]

6 (3)

In peripheral blood, trophozoites and erythrocytic meronts develop mainly in mature red blood cells. Maximum number of merozoites in erythrocytic meronts is greater than 20

………………………………………………… P. huffi [1, 8, 122]