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Fig. 36 | Malaria Journal

Fig. 36

From: Keys to the avian Haemoproteus parasites (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae)

Fig. 36

Morphological features of gametocytes, which are used for identification of Haemoproteus species parasitizing passeriform birds (suborder Passeri) of the families Emberizidae, Icteridae, Parulidae, Passerellidae and Thraupidae birds. Macrogametocytes of H. erythrogravidus (a), H. coatneyi (b), H. nucleocentralis (c) and H. quiscalus (d). Note that the fully grown gametocyte of H. erythrogravidus markedly deform the host cell by causing a balloon-like protrusion (a), which is located in the non-invaded cytoplasmic region of the erythrocytes. The nuclei assume predominantly central position (c) in fully grown macrogametocytes of H. nucleocentralis. Advanced dumbbell-shaped macrogametocytes, which do not touch envelope of erythrocytes along their entire margin (d) is a distinctive character of H. quiscalus. Image d 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 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 the envelop of erythrocytes. Triangle long arrow—protrusion of the erythrocyte envelope. Other explanations are given in the text

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