Paraplasmodium is a subgenus of the genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 Plasmodium

Plasmodium

Plasmodium is a genus of parasitic protists. Infection by these organisms is known as malaria. The genus Plasmodium was described in 1885 by Ettore Marchiafava and Angelo Celli. Currently over 200 species of this genus are recognized and new species continue to be described.Of the over 200 known...

- all of which are parastic protozoa

Protozoa

Protozoa are a diverse group of single-cells eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile. Throughout history, protozoa have been defined as single-cell protists with animal-like behavior, e.g., movement...

. The subgenus was created by Telford in 1988. Species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 in this subgenus infect lizard

Lizard

Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...

s.

Diagnostic features

Species in the subgenus Paraplasmodium have the following characteristics:

The gametocytes are large.

The schizonts are medium size.

Exoerythrocytic schizonts may be produced in both fixed and wandering host cells.

Note:

One species (Plasmodium mexicanum) in this genus can undergo normal sporogony in a psychodid fly (Lutzomyia vexatrix).

Species in this subgenus

Plasmodium chiricahuae

Plasmodium chiricahuae

Plasmodium chiricahuae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Lacertaemoba.Like all Plasmodium species P. chiricahuae has both vertebrate and insect hosts...

Plasmodium mexicanum

Plasmodium mexicanum

Plasmodium mexicanum is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Paraplasmodium.Like all Plasmodium species P. mexicanum has both vertebrate and insect hosts...

Plasmodium pifanoi

Plasmodium pifanoi

Plasmodium pifanoi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Paraplasmodium.Like all Plasmodium species P. pifanoi has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are lizards.- Description :...