Host Range
Host range among the mammalian orders is non uniform. At least 29 species infect non human primates; rodents outside the tropical parts of Africa are rarely affected; a few species are known to infect bats, porcupines and squirrels; carnivores, insectivores and marsupials are not known to act as hosts.
The listing of host species among the reptiles has rarely been attempted. Ayala in 1978 listed 156 published accounts on 54 valid species and subspecies between 1909 and 1975. The regional breakdown was Africa: 30 reports on 9 species; Australia, Asia & Oceania: 12 reports on 6 species and 2 subspecies; Americas: 116 reports on 37 species.
Because of the number of species parasited by Plasmodium further discussion has been broken down into following pages:
- Plasmodium species infecting humans and other primates
- Plasmodium species infecting mammals other than primates
- Plasmodium species infecting birds
- Plasmodium species infecting reptiles
Read more about this topic: Plasmodium
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