Fig. 34

Morphological features of gametocytes, which are used for identification of Haemoproteus species parasitizing passeriform birds (suborder Passeri) of the families Mimidae, Muscicapidae, Sittidae, Sturnidae and Turdidae birds. Macrogametocytes (a, d–f, h, j–m, o–r) and microgametocytes (b, c, g, i, n, s, t) of H. attenuatus (a, b), H. balmorali (c, d), H. pastoris (e), H. homominutus (f, g), H. kairullaevi (h, i), H. sittae (j), H. asymmetricus (k), H. fallisi (l), H. minutus (m, n), H. beckeri (o), H. neseri (p, q), H. nipponensis (r) and H. pallidus (s, t). Note that advanced growing microgametocytes of H. attenuatus are markedly narrow (attenuated) in width (b). Gametocytes of H. attenuatus and H. balmorali are overfilled with volutin granules (a–d). The asymmetrical position of advanced growing gametocytes in regard of erythrocyte nuclei (k) is a characteristic feature of H. asymmetricus. Advanced growing gametocytes of H. neseri (p, q) have well-pronounces dumbbell-like form (p, q). Fully grown gametocytes of H. pallidus are closely appressed to the nuclei of infected erythrocytes, but do not touch the erythrocyte envelope along their entire margin (s, t). Images l, p are 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 gametocytes is 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. Triangle wide arrowheads—volutin granules. Simple wide short arrow—vacuole. Other explanations are given in the text