PLASMODIUM OTI N. SP., A PLASMODIUM FROM THE EASTERN SCREECH OWL (OTUS ASIO NAEVIUS), INFECTIVE TO CANARIES1

Abstract

P. oti was isolated from an owl and established in canaries. This species is characterized chiefly by having elongate gametocytes bending around the nucleus of the host cell, and elongate mature schizonta generally with about 8 merozoites; either not displacing the nucleus or displacing it slightly. The common Plasmodium (P. subpraecox) in owls with round gametocytes was observed in the same animal. Gametocytes of P. subpraecox were observed in one of six canaries inoculated with blood from the owl; the possibility of transmission of other stages of the life-cycle of this Plasmodium is discussed.