Haematozoa of Zambian birds VI. Haemoproteids of small passerines with particular reference to Haemoproteus passeris and the H. fringillae/H. orizivorae complex

Summary

Haemoproteus passeris, H. fringillae and H. orizivorae are clearly valid species separable by their distinct schizonts. Differentiation of gametocytes is not easy since all can vary morphologically; H. passeris gametocytes often resemble H. fringillae and H. orizivorae. It is suggested that all haemoproteids occurring in Ploceidae are H. passeris. H. fringillae occurs in Fringillidae and Sylviidae; H. orizivorae occurs in these two families and also in Estrildidae. Redescriptions are given for H. fringillae and H. orizivorae together with another as yet unnamed species occurring in Estrildidae only. Differentiating characteristics tabulated for these latter three species enable a diagnosis to be made provided parasitaemia is sufficiently high.

It is suggested that (1) H. serini is probably a synonym of either H. fringillae or H. orizivorae; (2) H. macropigmentatus and H. chloriis are synonyms of H. fringillae; and (3) H. globulosus is a synonym of H. orizivorae.