Vinckeia


Vinckeia is a subgenus of the genus Plasmodium — all of which are parasitic alveolates. The subgenus Vinckeia was created by Cyril Garnham in 1964 to accommodate the mammalian parasites other than those infecting the primates.

Diagnostic features

in this subgenus infect mammals other than the higher primates.
Species infecting lemurs have since been included in this subgenus. This classification may not be correct.
Schizonts: These do not fill the erythrocyte and do not show true stippling. They give rise normally to 8 or fewer merozoites. Schizogony normally takes three days or less.
Merozoites:
Gametocytes: These are spherical.

Species in this subgenus

The following is a list of species in subgenus Vinckeia and their hosts.

Evolutionary history

Sharp et al 2020 reanalyze the available amino acid substitution data and conclude that chabaudi, yoelii, and berghei cluster relatively close together. Further they find chabaudi split off first and the berghei/''yoelii'' division is more recent.

By host

Murine malaria

Murine malaria malaria in mice is caused by P. berghei, P. chabaudi, P. vinckei and P. yoelii. Some strains produce cerebral malaria and some do not.