Table 28 Key to the Haemoproteus species of Passeriformes birds (suborder Passeri), of the families Aegithinidae, Artamidae, Malaconotidae, Vangidae

1 (6)

Growing and fully grown macrogametocytes do not contain large (greater that 1.5 µm in diameter) vacuoles (Fig. 29d, e)

2 (7)

Fully grown gametocytes are halteridial; they reach poles of infected erythrocytes and occupy the poles completely (Fig. 29a)

3 (8)

Advanced growing gametocytes are closely appressed to nuclei of infected erythrocytes and often do not touch envelope of the erythrocytes along their entire margin (Fig. 29b, c)

4 (5)

The average number of pigment granules in fully grown gametocytes is greater than 12

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

H. aegithinae (Fig. 29a–c) [3, 141]

5 (4)

The average number of pigment granules in fully grown gametocytes is less than 12

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

H. vangii^a [142]

6 (1)

Advanced growing and fully grown macrogametocytes often contain one large (greater that 1.5 µm in diameter) vacuole, which is of sub-terminal position in gametocytes and adheres to the erythrocyte envelope; the vacuole usually locates at gametocyte end, which is opposite in location to the gametocyte nucleus (Fig. 29d, e). Occasionally, up to three or even more small vacuoles can be present

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

H. bukaka (Fig. 29d, e) [143]

7 (2)

Fully grown gametocytes are microhalteridial; they usually do not reach poles of infected erythrocytes

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

H. madagascariensis^a [142]

8 (3)

Advanced growing gametocytes often do not touch nuclei of infected erythrocytes along their entire margin, but are closely appressed to erythrocyte envelope (Fig. 29f)

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

H. cublae (Fig. 29f) [3, 144]