Fig. 14

Morphological features of gametocytes, which are used for identification of Haemoproteus species parasitizing Coraciiformes birds. Macrogametocytes (a, c, e, g–j, l, n, o, q, s) and microgametocytes (b, d, f, k, m, p, r, t) of Haemoproteus lairdi (a, b), H. enucleator (c, d), H. gavrilovi (e, f), H. fuscae (g–i), H. coraciae (j, k), H. eurystomae (l–n), H. manwelli (o, p), H. meropis (q, r) and H. halcyonis (s, t). Note the presence of rhabdosomal gametocytes in H. lairdi (b) and H. enucleator (c, d). One big circular vacuole is often present in the cytoplasm of H. gavrilovi macrogametocyte (e). Nucleus of H. halcyonis microgametocyte is condensed (t) and is similar in size to macrogametocyte nucleus (s), which is a rare feature in avian haemoproteids. Images c, g, h, l, m, s, t are from the type material, which is fading, resulting in pale staining and poorly recognizable pigment granules and nuclei, however the overall form of gametocytes is readily visible. Long simple arrows—host cell nuclei. Short simple arrows—parasite nuclei. Simple arrowheads—pigment granules. Simple wide short arrows—vacuoles. Triangle wide arrowheads—volutin granules. Other explanations are given in the text