Fig. 32

Morphological features of gametocytes, which are used for identification of Haemoproteus species parasitizing passeriform birds (suborder Passeri) of the families Acrocephalidae and Hirundinidae birds. Macrogametocytes (a, d, f–i, k, l) microgametocytes (b, c, e, j) of H. payevskyi (a, b), H. nucleocondensus (c, d), H. belopolskyi (e–g), H. parahirundinis (h), H. hirundinis (i, j) and H. stellaris (k, l). Note the markedly condensed nuclear material in fully grown microgametocytes of H. payevskyi (b) and H. nucleocondensus (c), resulting in similar size of the nuclei in microgametocytes (b, c) and macrogametocytes (a, d), a rare character in Haemoproteus parasites. Macrogametocytes nucleus is median in position (h) in H. parahirundinis, but this is not a case in H. hirundinis (i). Gigantic pigment granules (k, l) are present in fully grown gametocytes of H. stellaris; the granules might be arranged like stars (k, l). Image k is from the type material, which is fading, resulting in pale staining and the poorly recognizable pigment granules and nucleus, however the overall form of the gametocyte and pigment granules are readily visible. Long simple arrows—host cell nuclei. Short simple arrows—parasite nuclei. Simple arrowheads—pigment granules. Simple wide long arrows—spaces between gametocytes and envelope of infected erythrocytes. Other explanations are given in the text