Haemoproteus cuculis, Peirce & Adlard, 2005

Peirce, M. A. & Adlard, R. D., 2005, The haemoproteids of the Cuculidae, Journal of Natural History 39 (25), pp. 2281-2287 : 2282-2283

Parasite: Haemoproteus cuculis sp. nov.

( Figure 1A–C )

Type host. Eudynamys scolopacea (L.).

Type locality. Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia .

Vector. Unknown, but assumed to be either hippoboscid or ceratopogonid.

Etymology. Named for the host family.

Immature gametocyte. Early forms occupy any position within the host cell and are amoeboid ( Figure 1A, C ). This amoeboid morphology is maintained as the parasite grows and occupies a lateral position within the erythrocyte. Vacuoles may be present in parasite cytoplasm.

Macrogametocyte ( Figure 1B ; Table I). Mature parasites present the usual sexual differentiating characteristics. Parasite halteridial with irregular and amoeboid outlines, although some parasites may be smooth and almost entire; occupying about 60% of the host cell cytoplasm. Nucleus is compact, generally round and usually located centrally; pigment granules evenly scattered throughout the parasite cytoplasm being fine, round and golden brown in colour and averaging 26.1. Mature parasite causes some lateral displacement of the host cell nucleus with 4–12% hypertrophy in length and width and 15% in area.

Microgametocyte ( Figure 1C ; Table I). Similar in shape to the macrogametocyte and presenting the usual staining characteristics. Nucleus diffuse, usually central and staining pale pink; parasite cytoplasm pale and may contain some degree of vacuolation. Pigment granules averaging 19.7 may be either scattered throughout the cytoplasm or concentrated at the poles. Mature parasite causes some lateral displacement of the host cell nucleus with some 4–11% hypertrophy in length and width and 14% in area.

Ratio of macrogametocytes to microgametocytes is 62:38. Multiple invasion of erythrocytes not observed.

Hapantotype: IRCAH: G463587 from E. scolopacea coll. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 6 November 2000, Gold Coast , Queensland, Australia . Parahapantotype: IRCAH: G403118 from E. scolopacea coll. Kuntz, 6 March 1965, Palawan, Philippines .

Comments. Haemoproteus cuculis is currently known only from Australia and the Philippines. Presumably it occurs throughout the Australasian–Oriental region. It remains to be determined if it occurs throughout the distributional range of the Cuculinae .

Figures

Figure 1. (A–C) Haemoproteus cuculis sp. nov.: (A) immature gametocyte; (B) macrogametocyte; (C) microgametocyte (upper) and immature gametocyte (lower). (D–F) Haemoproteus centropi: (D) immature gametocyte (upper) and almost mature microgametocyte (lower); (E) macrogametocyte; (F) two microgametocytes. (G–I) Haemoproteus clamatori sp. nov.: (G) immature gametocyte; (H) macrogametocyte; (I) microgametocyte. Scale bar: 14 mm.