Leucocytozoon sp. 2

Paperna, Ilan, Keong, Malcolm Soh Chu & May, Charlotte Yap Aye, 2008, Haemosporozoan Parasites Found In Birds In Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sarawak And Java, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 56 (2), pp. 211-243 : 214-215

Leucocytozoon sp. 2

Locality. – Malaysia: Cameron Highlands , Nov.2002. Found in one bird, a few gametocytes .

Description. – The macrogametocytes, are all round and 11.4 ± 0.64 × 8.8 ± 0.52 in size, with 2.9 ± 0.6 × 2.2 ± 0.2 nucleus (n = 4). The nucleolus is marginal and not very distinct. The deep-blue staining cytoplasm contains variable size vacuoles. The 21.4 ± 3.3 host-cell nucleus encloses 66 ± 11.0% of the macrogametocyte 32.1 ± 1.0 perimeter. The microgametocytes (n = 3) are 10.6 ± 1.9 × 6.8 ± 1.3 in size. The pink cytoplasm contains a few large vacuoles and a denser staining core, apparently the nuclear component. The 20.6 ± 2.5 host-nucleus encloses 75 ± 2.1% of the microgametocyte 28.1 ± 3.1 perimeter.

Remarks. – Leucocytozoon sp. was reported from the same host by McClure et al. (1978). The extent of enclosure of the gametocyte by the host-cell nucleus places this Leucocytozoon among the Leu. major -like species as defined by Valkiunas Locality. – Indonesia: Java, Lingo lowland secondary forest, Jun.2001. In one bird, one specimen (a macrogametocyte) was found.

[1997 (2005)]. The other Leucocytozoon (Leu. sp. 4) found in a Nectariniid bird ( Arachnothera longirostra ) is apparently a different species as the host-cell encloses only 47–48% of the gametocytes (closer to Leu. fringillinarum - type species) and the macrogametocyte cytoplasm contains many dark granules.