Plasmodium, MARCHIAFAVA & CELLI, 1885

IDENTIFICATION KEY FOR THE PLASMODIUM MARCHIAFAVA & CELLI, 1885 View in CoL SPECIES FOUND IN ALAUDA ARVENSIS LINNAEUS, 1758

1. Rounded or oval gametocytes; RBC nucleus displaced to one of the extremities ......... 2

— Elongated gametocytes, RBC nucleus laterally displaced if displaced .......................... 7

2. Schizonts with more than 18 nuclei, contour clearly defined by a smooth membrane; nuclei not protruding at the periphery of the schizont. RBC enlarged to a degree related to the size and shape of the schizont ........................................................................... 3

— Schizonts with less than 18 nuclei, nuclei bulging at the periphery of the immature forms; RBC very hypertrophied but those infected by parasites distinctly of smaller size ....... 6

3. Rounded schizonts ..................................................................................................... 4

— Ellipsoid or elongate schizonts .................................................................................... 5

4. Clearly defined individual nuclei, distributed in the schizont throughout development, 28-30 nuclei, loosely gathered pigment .......................................... Plasmodium bioccai

— Individual nuclei poorly defined in sub-mature forms, with granular indistinct chromatin that predominates at the periphery for most of the development period, more than 30 nuclei .................................................................................. Plasmodium coluzzii n. sp.

5. Ellipsoid, elongate or oval schizonts of regular shape and contour, nearly completely filling the RBC, poorly defined nuclei prior to maturation, granular indistinct chromatin, more than 30 nuclei ................................................................... Plasmodium ginsburgi n. sp.

— Schizonts variable in shape, irregular but rather elongated, occupying ¾ of the RBC, well-defined individual nuclei, 24 to 30 nuclei ................................. Plasmodium dorsti

6. RBC rarely discoloured, schizonts occupying at most half of the RBC, fine pigment loosely assembled in a rounded area, 14 nuclei ............. Plasmodium relictum quentini n. subsp.

— Discoloured RBC, schizonts occupying at most a third of the RBC, paucity of pigment assembled in a little black mass, 8 nuclei ................................. Plasmodium caloti n. sp.

7. Schizonts lying along the RBC nucleus ...................................................................... 8

— Schizonts not lying along the RBC nucleus ................................................................ 9

8. Large schizonts that displace the RBC nucleus laterally, 18-24 nuclei ............................ .................................................................................................. Plasmodium ghadiriani

— Small schizonts that do not displace the RBC nucleus, 8 nuclei .... Plasmodium dherteae

9. Large schizonts, partially apposed to the membrane at the apex of the RBC, more than 30 nuclei ................................................................................ Plasmodium reniai n. sp.

— Small schizonts, not touching the RBC membrane, less than 10 nuclei .................... 10

10. Schizonts with 6 or 8 nuclei ..................................................................................... 11

— Schizonts with 4 nuclei ............................................................................................ 13

11. Schizonts with 6 nuclei .......................................................... Plasmodium hexamerium

— Schizonts with 8 nuclei ............................................................................................ 12

12. Parasites partially apposed to the RBC nucleus ................. Plasmodium jeanriouxi n. sp.

— Parasites not in contact with the RBC nucleus .............................. Plasmodium alaudae

13. Schizonts rectangular in shape .......................................................... Plasmodium rouxi

— Rounded schizonts displaying a fan-shape ............................................ Plasmodium sp.