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An unusual form of fertilization in the malaria parasite of the Himalayan flying squirrel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

B. Dasgupta
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Darjeeling Government College, Darjeelling, West Bengal, India
Amal Chatterjee
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Darjeeling Government College, Darjeelling, West Bengal, India

Summary

Fertilization phenomena has been observed in the malaria parasite of the Himalayan Flying Squirrel with blood showing heavy infection. The blood was obtained on the slide, put in the moist chamber, dried and stained. Two types of microgametes could be distinguished. One of these two types were found in various stages of the process of fertilization. More than one microgamete were often found to take part in fertilizing a single macrogamete. This is the first recorded case of polyspermy in malaria parasites.

Thanks are due to Mr Nandalal Pau for his help in preparing the Plate incorporated in this paper.

This investigation received financial support from the World Health Organization.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

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References

Austin, C. R. (1965). Fertilization. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.Google Scholar
Dasgupta, B. & Chatterjee, A. (1969). Further observations on the malaria parasite of the Himalayan Flying Squirrel. Parasitology 59, 431–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Garnham, P. C. C. (1966). Malaria parasites and other Haemosporidia. Oxford: Blackwell.Google Scholar