Nycteria

Nycteria
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
(unranked):	SAR
(unranked):	Alveolata
Phylum:	Apicomplexa
Class:	Aconoidasida
Order:	Haemosporida
Family:	Plasmodiidae
Genus:	Nycteria
Species
	Nycteria brucechwatti; Nycteria congolensis; Nycteria eradi; Nycteria gabonensis; Nycteria houini; Nycteria krampitzi; Nycteria medusiformis

Nycteria is a genus of parasitic protozoa of belonging to the phylum Apicomplexia. Its vertebrate hosts are bats. The vectors are not presently known.

History

The type species Nycteria medusiformis was described by Garnham and Heisch in 1953.^[1]

Description

Schizonts are found in liver parenchymal cells. These superficially resemble the pre-erythrocytic schizonts of Plasmodium falciparum but differ in the structure of the nuclei.

Infected erythrocytes show filaments protruding from the surface.

Gametocytes only are present in the blood.

Hosts

N. brucechwatti - Intermediate roundleaf bat (Hipposideros larvatus)
N. medusiformis - Egyptian slit-faced bat (Nycteris thebaica capensis), Egyptian tomb bat (Taphozous perforatus)

References

^ Garnham PCC, Heisch RB (1953) On a new blood parasite of insectivorous bats. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 47 (5)357-363

[Garnham1953-1] Garnham PCC, Heisch RB (1953) On a new blood parasite of insectivorous bats. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 47 (5)357-363

[1]