Fig. 29

Morphological features of gametocytes, which are used for identification of Haemoproteus species parasitizing passeriform birds (suborder Passeri) of the families Aegithinidae, Artamidae, Malaconotidae, Vangidae birds. Macrogametocytes (a, b, d–f) and microgametocytes (c) of H. aegithinae (a–c), H. bukaka (d, e) and H. cublae (f). Note that advanced growing gametocytes of H. aegithinae are closely appressed to nuclei of infected erythrocytes but do not touch envelope of the erythrocytes along their entire margin (b, c). On the opposite, the advanced growing gametocytes of H. cublae do not touch the nuclei of infected erythrocytes along their entire margin but are closely appressed to erythrocyte envelope (f). Macrogametocytes of H. bukaka contain large vacuoles (d, e). Images b, c are from the type material, which is fading, resulting in pale staining and the 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 long arrows—space between developing gametocytes and envelope or nucleus of infected erythrocytes. Simple wide short arrows—vacuoles. Other explanations are given in the text