Sauroplasma

Sauroplasma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Sar
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Achromatorida
Genus: Sauroplasma
Species

Sauroplasma boreale
Sauroplasma thomasi

Sauroplasma is a genus of parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa.

Species in this genus have two hosts (a vertebrate and an invertebrate) in their life cycle: for species in this genus the vertebrate host are lizards. The vectors are not known but ticks have been suggested as possible hosts.

The type species is Sauroplasma thomasi.

Taxonomic History

This genus was created in 1937 by P.J. du Toit for the newly described species Sauroplasma thomasi, a parasite of the giant girdle-tailed lizard (Zonurus giganteus). [1] He considered the genus a member of the sporozoan family Piroplasmidae (Babesidae). More recent placements include Apicomplexan family Haemohormidiidae[2] or order Piroplasmorida[3]

Description

To date this species has been described from erythrocytes only.

The parasites are amoeboid but frequently adopt a ring shape.

A vacuole is present and occasionally one or more pigment granules.

Schizogony is absent.

Binary fission or budding into two daughter cells occurs.

Host records

Unknown species

References

  1. ↑ Du Toit, PJ (1937). "A new piroplasm (Sauroplasma thomasi n.g., n.sp.) of a lizard (Zonurus giganteus, Smith)". The Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Industry. 9 (2): 289–299. hdl:2263/55594.
  2. ↑ Picelli, Amanda M.; Carvalho, Aluísio V.; Viana, Lúcio A.; Malvasio, Adriana (2016). "Parasitization by Sauroplasma sp. (Apicomplexa: Haemohormidiidae) in Chelonian Podocnemis expansa (Testudines: Podocnemididae) in the Brazilian Amazon". Journal of Parasitology. 102 (1): 161–164. doi:10.1645/15-832. PMID 26561340.
  3. ↑ Adl, Sina M.; et al. (2019). "Revisions to the Classification, Nomenclature, and Diversity of Eukaryotes". Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 66 (1): 4–119. doi:10.1111/jeu.12691. PMC 6492006. PMID 30257078.