Mémoire

Studies on african saurian malarias : Plasmodium parasites of cordylid lizards

Études sur le paludisme des sauriens africains : les plasmodiums parasites de lézards Cordylidés

¹ The Florida State Museum, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.

Accepted: 30 April 1987

Abstract

The saurian malarial parasite Plasmodium zonuriae Pienaar, 1962 is redescribed from the type host Cordylus vittiler (Reichenow), collected near the type locality. It is characterized by polymorphic schizonts, larger than host cell nuclei, which produce 12-28 merozoites, usually arranged around the schizont margin. Gametocytes, most often elongate, are larger than host cell nuclei, which are often partially encircled by the parasite. Infected erythrocytes are enlarged and may show nuclear hypertrophy. In a second host, Pseudocordylus microlepidotus melanotus (Smith), schizonts and gametocytes of P. zonuriae are smaller but closely resemble those from the type host. Merozoite range and mean numbers are virtually identical. Another malarial parasite of cordylid lizards, Plasmodium cordyli n. sp., is described from Tanzanian Cordylus cordylus Iropidoslernum (Cope). Gametocytes are typically round or oval and average smaller than host cell nuclei. The variably shaped schizonts are also smaller than host cell nuclei and produce 5-11 merozoites in the type host. Asexual parasites and young gametocytes are commonly nucleophilic. Cells host to gametocytes, and their nuclei, may be enlarged ; this effect was not observed when erythrocytes were parasitized by schizonts. A small Plasmodium parasite found in Cordylus villifer from Transvaal is probably conspecific with P. cordyli. Gametocytes are virtually identical morphometrically and in appearance, but schizonts are larger, about the size of host cell nuclei, and produce 8-14 merozoites.

Résumé

Le parasite de Saurien Plasmodium zonuriae est redécrit chez l’hôte type Cordylus vittijer collecté près de la localité type et chez un second hôte, Pseudocordylus microlepidotus melanotus.

Un deuxième parasite de Cordylidés, Plasmodium cordyli n. sp. est décrit chez Cordylus cordylus tropidosternum de Tanzanie.

Un plasmodium trouvé chez Cordylus vittifer du Transvaal est rattaché à P. cordyli.