Plasmodium tribolonoti

Plasmodium tribolonoti is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.

Like all Plasmodium species P. tribolonoti has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.

Description
The parasite was first described by Telford and Wellehan in 2005.

The parasites infect proerythrocytes and have no effect upon dimensions of host cells or their nuclei.

The schizonts are round or oblong and measure 6.1 x 5.3 micrometres (range: 5 - 7 x 4 - 7). They produce on average 14.3 merozoites (range: 10 - 21)

The gametocytes average 7.2 x 6.3 micrometres (range 6.5 - 9.0 x 5.5 - 7.5) in size. The length x width product is 45.5 micrometre² (range: 38-63). The length/width ratio 1.15 (range: 1.0 - 1.5).

Gametocytes are not sexually dimorphic in either size or shape.

Geographical occurrence
This species is found in New Guinea.

Clinical features and host pathology
This species infects the crocodile skink Tribolonotus gracilis.