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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
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Generating Genetically Modified Plasmodium berghei Sporozoites
Published on: May 5, 2023
The sub-genera of avian Plasmodium
I Landau1, J M Chavatte, W Peters
1Parasitologie comparée et modèles expérimentaux, USM 307, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 61, rue Buffon, CP 52, 75231 Paris Cedex 05. landau@mnhn.fr
Parasite (Paris, France)
|April 15, 2010
Summary
This study reclassifies Plasmodium species based on morphology, introducing a new subgenus, Papernaia. A key feature, the refringent globule, distinguishes Novyella species and aids in parasite classification.
Area of Science:
- Malariology
- Parasitology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Plasmodium morphology presents challenges for species identification due to limited characters.
- Traditional metrics like schizont size offer limited phylogenetic insight.
- Parasite metabolism and intracellular positioning are more informative for classification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To refine the classification of Plasmodium species.
- To introduce a new subgenus, Papernaia, based on morphological characteristics.
- To highlight the phylogenetic significance of specific intracellular structures.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis of Plasmodium species.
- Evaluation of parasite position within host red blood cells.
- Identification and characterization of intracellular refractile globules.
Main Results:
- Parasite positioning within red blood cells demonstrates species-specific constancy.
- A refractile globule, first described in Plasmodium vaoughani, is identified as characteristic of the subgenus Novyella.
- Species lacking this globule are reclassified into the new subgenus Papernaia.
Conclusions:
- The refractile globule is a key diagnostic feature for the subgenus Novyella.
- Morphological characters, particularly intracellular structures and parasite positioning, are crucial for Plasmodium taxonomy.
- The establishment of the subgenus Papernaia refines the phylogenetic understanding of Plasmodium.
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