Plasmodium lepidoptiformis

Plasmodium lepidoptiformis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.

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

Description
This species was described by Telford and Telford in 2003.

The schizonts are small 4.6 × 3.2 micrometres (range: 3 – 6 × 2.5 – 3) and produce on average 5.1 (4 – 8) merozoites. They frequently resemble a butterfly in appearance.

The gametocytes are elongate, 9.0 × 4.3 micrometres (range: 7 – 10 × 3 – 6), with average length-width product of 38.3 (range: 24 – 51) and length / width ratio of 2.2 (range: 1.3 – 3.3). They are sexually dimorphic, with the macrogametocytes being longer than microgametocytes and having a greater length-width product.

Geographical occurrence
Found in Venezuela, South America.

Clinical features and host pathology
The only known host is the lizard Kentropyx calcarata