A new haemosporidian of lizards, Saurocytozoon tupinambi gen.nov., sp.nov., in Tupinambus nigropunctatus (Teiidae)

Abstract

Saurocytozoon tupinambi gen.nov., sp.nov. (Haemosporidiidea, Leucocytozoidae) is described in the teiid lizard, Tupinambus nigropunctatus, from Pará State, Brazil. This would appear to be the first record of a member of this family in a reptile; the existing genera Leucocytozoon and Akiba are known only in birds. The gametocytes of S. tupinambi develop within lymphocytes and immature erythrocytes. Only developing and mature gametocytes are found in the peripheral blood: morphologically they are very similar to the gametocytes of Leucocytozoon and Akiba. No mega-schizonts or other tissue stages have yet been detected. Aedes spp., have been trapped while feeding on Tupinambus in areas where infected lizards have been caught, and may possibly be the vectors. We are indebted to Professor P. C. C. Garnham, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, who has examined our material and offered his invaluable opinions. The cost of the colour plate was defrayed by the Wellcome Parasitology Unit, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Fundação Serviço Especial de Saúde Pública, Belém.