Table 16 Key to the Haemoproteus species of Galliformes birds

1 (16)

Advanced growing and fully grown macrogametocytes do not contain one large (bigger than 1 µm in diameter) circular vacuole (Fig. 17j–l)

2 (7)

Gametocytes grow around nuclei of infected erythrocytes; they markedly enclose the nuclei with their ends (Fig. 17a–d) and finally encircle the nuclei completely. Fully grown gametocytes are circumnuclear (Fig. 17a, b, d)

3 (6)

Fully grown gametocytes usually do not occupy all available cytoplasmic space in infected erythrocytes. A more or less evident unfilled space (a ‘cleft’) usually is present between the fully grown gametocyte and the nucleus of erythrocyte (Fig. 17a–c)

4 (5)

The average number of pigment granules in macrogametocytes is greater than 15

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. lophortyx (Fig. 17a,b) [3, 102]

5 (4)

The average number of pigment granules in macrogametocytes is less than 15

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. stableri (Fig. 17c) [3, 103]

6 (3)

Fully grown gametocytes occupy all available cytoplasmic space in infected erythrocytes (Fig. 17d). An unfilled space (a ‘cleft’) (Fig. 17a, b) is absent between the fully grown gametocyte and nucleus of the erythrocyte

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. mansoni (probable syn. H. meleagridis) (Fig. 17d) [3, 104]

7 (2)

Fully grown gametocytes do not encircle the nuclei of infected erythrocytes completely. Fully grown gametocytes are halteridial (Fig. 17e–i)

8 (14)

The average number of pigment granules in fully grown macrogametocytes is greater than 15

9 (15)

The outline of fully grown gametocytes predominantly is even (Fig. 17e–g)

10 (13)

Growing gametocytes with a highly constricted central portion, causing a ‘dip’ and presenting a dumbbell-like shape (Fig. 2e), are absent

11 (12)

Fully grown macrogametocytes markedly displace the nuclei of infected erythrocytes laterally (Fig. 17e); the average NDR is less than 0.7

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. pratasi (Fig. 17e) [3, 105]

12 (11)

Fully grown gametocytes do not displace or slightly displace the nuclei of infected erythrocytes laterally (Fig. 17f); the average NDR is greater than 0.7

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. ammoperdix (Fig. 17f) [3]

13 (10)

Growing gametocytes with a highly constricted central portion, causing a ‘dip’ and presenting a dumbbell-like shape (Fig. 2e), are present

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. megapodius^a [3, 106]

14 (8)

The average number of pigment granules in fully grown macrogametocytes is less than 15

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. rileyi (Fig. 17g) [3, 105]

15 (9)

The outline of fully grown and advanced gametocytes predominantly is highly ameboid (Fig. 17h, i)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. cracidarum (Fig. 17h, i) [3, 107]

16 (1)

Advanced growing and fully grown macrogametocytes often contain one large (bigger than 1 µm in diameter) circular vacuole (Fig. 17j–l)

17 (18)

Fully grown gametocytes of roundish or various oval forms (Fig. 17k, l) are absent. Vacuole-like unstained spaces might be present on one or both ends of maturing and fully grown macrogametocytes (Fig. 17j). Gametocytes are overfilled with prominent distinct volutin granules (Fig. 17j)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. paraortalidum (Fig. 17j) [108]

18 (17)

Fully grown gametocytes of roundish or various oval forms (Fig. 17k, l) are present. Vacuole-like unstained spaces (Fig. 17j) are absent on both ends of growing or fully grown macrogametocytes. Gametocytes contain volutin, which is dispersed (Fig. 17k, l)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

H. ortalidum (Fig. 17k, l) [3, 109]