Haemoproteus columbae

Haemoproteus columbae is a species of blood parasite related to Plasmodium and other malaria parasites.^[1]

Haemoproteus columbae
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Sar
Superphylum:	Alveolata
Phylum:	Apicomplexa
Class:	Aconoidasida
Order:	Chromatorida
Family:	Haemoproteidae
Genus:	Haemoproteus
Species:	H. columbae
Binomial name
Haemoproteus columbae Kruse, 1890

Phylogenetic relationships among the Haemosporidia

Haemoproteus columbae is a true member of the genus Haemoproteus, basal to other avian Parahaemoproteus species.^[2] Parahaemoproteus species have been subsequently split from Haemoproteus and are recognized as their own genus, sister to Plasmodium malaria parasites.^[3]

Transmission

Haemoproteus columbae is transmitted by the pigeon louse fly, Pseudolynchia canariensis.

Pathology or host effects of infection with H. columbae

Male (upper left, more pink) and female (lower right, more blue) H. columbae parasites in Rock Pigeon nucleated red blood cells.

Haemoproteus columbae infects pigeons. It is usually benign and does not reduce survival of its host.^[4] However, it can sometimes be fatal to young pigeons.^[5]

It is slated for genome sequencing.^[6]