**17. Subgenera**

The full taxonomic name of a species includes the subgenus but is often omitted. The full name indicates some features of the morphology and type of host species. Sixteen subgenera are currently recognized.

The avian species were discovered soon after the description of *P falciparum* and a variety of generic names were created. These were subsequently placed into the genus *Plasmodium* although some workers continued to use the genera *Laverinia* and *Proteosoma* for *P. falciparum* and the avian species respectively. The 5th and 6th Congresses of Malaria held at Istanbul (1953) and Lisbon (1958) recommended the creation and use of subgenera in this genus. *Laverinia* was applied to the species infecting human and *Haemamoeba* to those infecting lizard and birds. This proposal was not universally accepted. Bray in 1955 proposed a definition for the subgenus *Plasmodium* and a second for the subgenus *Laverinia* in 1958. Garnham described a third subgenus – *Vinckeia* – in 1964.[40]

### **18. Mammal infecting species**

Two species in the subgenus *Laverania* are curreIntly recognized: *P. falciparum* and *P. reichenowi*. Three additional species – *Plasmodium billbrayi, Plasmodium billeollnisi* and *Plasmodium gaboni* - may also exist (based on molecular data) but a full description of these species have not yet been published. The presence of elongated gametocytes in several of the avian subgenus and in *Laverania* in addition to a number of clinical features suggested that these might be closely related. This is no longer thought to be the case.[41]

The type species is *Plasmodium falciparum.*

Species infecting monkeys and apes (the higher primate other than those in the subgenus *Laverania* are placed in the subgenus *Plasmodium.* The position of the recently described *Plasmodium Gor A* and *Plasmodium Gor B* has not yet been settled. The distinction between *P. falciparum* and *P. reichenowi* and the other species infection higher primates was based on the morphological findings but have since been confirmed by DNA analysis.[42,43]

The type speces is *Plasmodium malaria*

Parasites infecting other mammals including lower primates (lemurs and others) are classified in the subgenus *Vinckeia.* Vinckeia while previously considered to be something of a taxonomic 'rag has been recently shown – perhaps rather surprisingly – to form a coherent grouping.

The type species is *Plasmodium bubalis*.[44,45,46,47,48]

Within the 'Asian' clade are three unnamed potential species. One infect each of the two chimpanzee subspecies included in the study *(Pan troglodytes troglodytes* and *pan troglodytes* 

Two unnamed potential species infect the bonbo *(Pan paniscus)* and these are related to the

The full taxonomic name of a species includes the subgenus but is often omitted. The full name indicates some features of the morphology and type of host species. Sixteen subgenera

The avian species were discovered soon after the description of *P falciparum* and a variety of generic names were created. These were subsequently placed into the genus *Plasmodium* although some workers continued to use the genera *Laverinia* and *Proteosoma* for *P. falciparum* and the avian species respectively. The 5th and 6th Congresses of Malaria held at Istanbul (1953) and Lisbon (1958) recommended the creation and use of subgenera in this genus. *Laverinia* was applied to the species infecting human and *Haemamoeba* to those infecting lizard and birds. This proposal was not universally accepted. Bray in 1955 proposed a definition for the subgenus *Plasmodium* and a second for the subgenus *Laverinia*

Two species in the subgenus *Laverania* are curreIntly recognized: *P. falciparum* and *P. reichenowi*. Three additional species – *Plasmodium billbrayi, Plasmodium billeollnisi* and *Plasmodium gaboni* - may also exist (based on molecular data) but a full description of these species have not yet been published. The presence of elongated gametocytes in several of the avian subgenus and in *Laverania* in addition to a number of clinical features suggested

Species infecting monkeys and apes (the higher primate other than those in the subgenus *Laverania* are placed in the subgenus *Plasmodium.* The position of the recently described *Plasmodium Gor A* and *Plasmodium Gor B* has not yet been settled. The distinction between *P. falciparum* and *P. reichenowi* and the other species infection higher primates was based on the

Parasites infecting other mammals including lower primates (lemurs and others) are classified in the subgenus *Vinckeia.* Vinckeia while previously considered to be something of a taxonomic 'rag has been recently shown – perhaps rather surprisingly – to form a coherent

*P. ovale* is more closely related to *P. malaria* than to *P. vivax.*

*P. malaria P. brazillium* calde.

are currently recognized.

**18. Mammal infecting species** 

The type species is *Plasmodium falciparum.*

The type speces is *Plasmodium malaria*

The type species is *Plasmodium bubalis*.[44,45,46,47,48]

grouping.

**17. Subgenera** 

*schweinfurthii).* These appear to be related to the *P. vivax P. simium* clade.

in 1958. Garnham described a third subgenus – *Vinckeia* – in 1964.[40]

that these might be closely related. This is no longer thought to be the case.[41]

morphological findings but have since been confirmed by DNA analysis.[42,43]
