Table 35 Key to the Haemoproteus species of Passeriformes birds (suborder Passeri) of the families Emberizidae, Icteridae, Parulidae, Passerellidae and Thraupidae

1 (5)

The nuclei assume predominantly subterminal or terminal position in fully grown macrogametocytes (Fig. 36a, b, d). Dumbbell-shaped growing gametocytes (Fig. 36a, d) are common

2 (6)

Advanced dumbbell-shaped gametocytes, which do not touch envelope of erythrocytes along their entire margin (Fig. 36d), are absent. Advanced dumbbell-shaped gametocytes adhere to the envelope of erythrocytes by their ends (Fig. 36a). Dumbbell-shaped microgametocytes are common

3 (4)

Advanced and fully grown gametocytes markedly deform infected erythrocytes by causing balloon-like protrusions which are located in the non-invaded cytoplasmic region of the erythrocytes (Fig. 36a); as a result of this deformation, the infected erythrocytes assume a ‘gravid’ shape (Fig. 36a)

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

H. erythrogravidus (Fig. 36a) [182]

4 (3)

Advanced and fully grown gametocytes do not deform infected erythrocytes by causing balloon-like protrusions which are located in the non-invaded cytoplasmic region of the erythrocytes (Fig. 36a). Infected erythrocytes do not assume a ‘gravid’ shape (Fig. 36b)

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

Group of H. coatneyi ^a (Fig. 36b) [3, 62, 182]

5 (1)

The nuclei assume predominantly median position in fully grown macrogametocytes (Fig. 36c). Dumbbell-shaped growing gametocytes (Fig. 36a, d) are absent

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

H. nucleocentralis (Fig. 36c) [183]

6 (2)

Advanced dumbbell-shaped macrogametocytes, which do not touch envelope of erythrocytes along their entire margin (Fig. 36d), are present. Dumbbell-shaped microgametocytes are absent or develop only occasionally

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

H. quiscalus (Fig. 36d) [3, 59]