Pitta guajana (Muller) (Pittidae)

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 : 228-229

Pitta guajana (Muller) (Pittidae)

Leucocytozoon pittae Bennett & Peirce, 1992 ( Fig. 15 )

Locality. – Indonesia: Java, Lingo mountain secondary forest, 2001.

Description. – The macrogametocytes are 10.3 ± 0.63 × 8.6 ± 0.50 in size (n = 4) with 3.3 ± 0.55 × 2.7 nucleus, usually with a conspicuous nucleolus enclosed with extended (not cupshaped) host-cell nucleus, 11.3 ± 2.0 long. The latter encloses 28–48% (38 ± 8.3%) of the gametocytes’ circumference, which measures 30 ± 1.9. The macrogametocyte blue-staining cytoplasm is dotted with vacuoles. The two microgametocytes found are 10.1–10.3 × 8.3– 6.4 in size, enclosed with 12.6–15.4 extended host-cell nucleus, which encloses 40 and 50% of the gametocytes’ circumference, respectively, which measures 31.

Remarks. – Valkiunas [1997 (2005)] considered Leu. pittae (together with many other species) as junior synonym of Leu. fringillinarum. Both the macrogametocytes and microgametocytes presently found in Pit. guajana are larger and differ distinctly from Leu. fringillinarum (described from the type host Fringilla coelebs ) in being extended and elongated rather than cup-like around the host-cell nuclei. We therefore consider Leu. pittae a valid species.

Figures

Fig. 15. Leucocytozoon pittae from Pitta guajana, Java (from right: macrogametocyte, microgametocyte and macrogametocyte).