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Table 26 Key to the Haemoproteus species of Passeriformes birds (suborder Tyranni) of the families Eurylaimidae, Furnariidae, Pittidae, Thamnophilidae, Tyrannidaea

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

Step

Features and species

1 (4)

Gametocytes tend to grow around nuclei of infected erythrocytes and advanced forms markedly enclose the nuclei with their ends. Fully grown gametocytes finally completely encircle the nuclei of infected erythrocytes (Fig. 27a–c) and can occupy all available cytoplasmic space in the erythrocytes (Fig. 27b)

2 (3)

Close to circumnuclear and circumnuclear gametocytes readily predominate among advanced and fully grown both macrogametocytes and microgametocytes (Fig. 27a, b). Halteridial gametocytes, which markedly displace nuclei of infected erythrocytes are absent or appear only occasionally

 

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H. circumnuclearis (Fig. 27a, b) [3, 133]

3 (2)

Circumnuclear gametocytes readily predominate among advanced and fully frown macrogametocytes (Fig. 27c), but do not predominate among advanced and fully frown microgametocytes, which often assume broadly halteridial forms and markedly displace host cell nuclei (Fig. 27d)

 

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H. pittae (Fig. 27c, d) [3, 134]

4 (1)

Gametocytes do not tend to grow around nuclei of infected erythrocytes, they do not markedly enclose the nuclei with their ends (Fig. 27e–i). Fully grown gametocytes are halteridial; they do not completely encircle nuclei of infected erythrocytes and never occupy all available cytoplasmic space in the erythrocytes (Fig. 27e, g–i)

5 (6)

Advanced growing gametocytes, which length is bigger than the length of erythrocyte nuclei, are closely appressed to the nuclei and envelope of infected erythrocytes (Fig. 27e)

 

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H. tyranni (Fig. 27e) [3, 133]

6 (5)

Advanced growing gametocytes, which length is bigger than the length of erythrocyte nuclei, predominantly do not touch the envelope of infected erythrocytes along their entire margins (Fig. 27f)

7 (8)

The average number of pigment granules in gametocytes is close to 10 (Fig. 27g). Nuclei assume predominantly subterminal position in macrogametocytes (Fig. 27f, g). Attenuated (snake-like) advanced gametocytes develop (Fig. 27f)

 

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H. furnarius (Fig. 27f, g) [3, 135]

8 (7)

The average number of pigment granules in gametocytes is close to 15 or greater (Fig. 27h, i). Macrogametocyte nuclei assume predominantly median position (Fig. 27i) or their position is variable (median, submedian and subterminal) in different cells (Fig. 27h, i). Attenuated (snake-like) advanced gametocytes (Fig. 27f) do not develop

9 (10)

The average number of pigment granules in fully grown gametocytes is close to 15; medium size pigment granules (0.5–1 µm) predominate, but large (greater than 1 µm) pigment granules also might occur (Fig. 27h)

 

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H. formicarius (Fig. 27h) [3, 135]

10 (9)

The average number of pigment granules in fully grown gametocytes is close to 20; small (usually less than 0.5 µm) pigment granules predominate, and large (greater than 1 µm) pigment granules do not occur (Fig. 27i)

 

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H. eurylaimus (Fig. 27i) [3, 134]

  1. aHaemoproteus souzalopesi was described in species of the Tyrannidae [133]. This parasite has roundish gametocytes, which are similar to gametocytes of Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) species [3]. Examination of the hapantotype of this species (Queensland Museum accession number G440399, IRCAH accession number 83024) showed presence of numerous roundish gametocytes, but also numerous developing meronts of P. (Haemamoeba) species, suggesting that co-occurring gametocytes also belong to Plasmodium parasite. Species souzalopesi likely belong to genus Plasmodium. Further studies are needed to clarify this taxonomical uncertainty. Haemoproteus souzalopesi was considered as species inquirenda and not included in the key for identification