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Abstract AvianPlasmodiumparasites can be pathogenic to their vertebrate hosts. Although cases of anaemia are frequently reported in parasitized birds, the potential damage caused by the parasite during the exoerythrocytic reproduction phase remains poorly investigated. Here, we report 2 individuals of red-legged seriemas (Cariama cristata) infected with 2 different lineages ofPlasmodium huffi, one of them exhibiting potential malarial-compatible tissue lesions in the spleen, liver, brain and lungs, alongside molecular confirmation of parasite presence in the spleen. Previously classified as specific to birds from the order Piciformes, this parasite has shown different associated lineages amplified across diverse host orders in South America (Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Galliformes, Pelecaniformes and Passeriformes). Those infections, however, were defined as abortive due to the absence of gametocytes visualized in blood smear slides. Herein, we confirmP. huffias a generalist parasite based on the first morphological characterization in the peripheral blood of a bird outside the Piciformes order. This is also the first morphological and molecular description of aPlasmodiumspecies in Cariamiformes. In addition to the morphological analyses, we have also proposed a novel phylogenetic hypothesis based on the partialcytbgene and the near-complete mitochondrial genome of this parasite. Our findings support that the division of the genusPlasmodiuminto subgenera is not monophyletic, asP.(Huffia) huffiand its associated lineages cluster more closely withPlasmodium(Haemamoeba) gallinaceumthan withPlasmodium(Huffia) elongatum. 

Abstract The distribution of avian haemosporidians of the genusLeucocytozoonin the Neotropics remains poorly understood. Recent studies confirmed their presence in the region using molecular techniques alone, but evidence for gametocytes and data on putative competent hosts forLeucocytozoonare still lacking outside highland areas. We combined morphological and molecular data to characterize a newLeucocytozoonspecies infecting a non-migratory red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata), the first report of a competent host forLeucocytozoonin Brazil.Leucocytozoon cariamaen. sp. is distinguished from theLeucocytozoon fringillinarumgroup by its microgametocytes that are not strongly appressed to the host cell nucleus. The bird studied was coinfected withHaemoproteus pulcher, and we present a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete mitochondrial genomes of these 2 parasites.Leucocytozoon cariamaen. sp. morphology is consistent with our phylogenetic analysis indicating that it does not share a recent common ancestor with theL.fringillinarumgroup.Haemoproteus pulcherandHaemoproteus cathartiform a monophyletic group withHaemocystidiumparasites of Reptilia, supporting the polyphyly of the genusHaemoproteus. We also discussed the hypothesis thatH. pulcherandH. cathartimay be avianHaemocystidium, highlighting the need to study non-passerine parasites to untangle the systematics of Haemosporida. 

Abstract Delimiting and describing Plasmodium species in reptiles remains a pressing problem in Haemosporida taxonomy. The few morphological characters used can overlap, and the significance of some life-history traits is not fully understood. Morphologically identical lizard Plasmodium forms have been reported infecting different cell types (red and white blood cells) in the same host and have been considered the same species. An example is Plasmodium tropiduri tropiduri , a species known to infect erythrocytes, thrombocytes and lymphocyte-like cells. Here, both forms of P. t. tropiduri were analysed using light microscope-based morphological characteristics and phylogenetic inferences based on almost complete mitochondrial genomes of parasites naturally infecting lizards in southeastern Brazil. Although morphologically similar, two distinct phylogenetic lineages infecting erythrocytes and non-erythrocytic cells were found. The lineage found in the erythrocytes forms a monophyletic group with species from Colombia. However, the non-erythrocytic lineage shares a recent common ancestor with Plasmodium leucocytica , which infects leucocytes in lizards from the Caribbean islands. Here, Plasmodium ouropretensis n. sp. is described as a species that infects thrombocytes and lymphocyte-like cells.