A list of myxozoan genera is presented in the current taxonomical scheme. These genera are defined; their type species and most important pathogens along with their hosts are listed. Simultaneously, definitions of actinospore stages representing sexual stages of the myxosporean life cycle are given; altogether, 17 actinospore collective groups with 180 types have been described. Life cycles of the two classes of the phylum Myxozoa, Malacosporea and Myxosporea, are briefly outlined with specification of the appropriate terms. Up to now, 4 malacosporean and 2,180 myxosporean species assigned to a total of 62 genera, have been established. The surviving classification of myxosporeans, based on spore morphology, is discussed in the context of the still fragmentary data resulting from SSU rDNA sequence analyses. The main task for the future is a rigorous, detailed morphological description combined with molecular techniques in establishment of new species and in revision of the existing ones. Establishment of a classification acceptable from morphological, biological and phylogenetical viewpoints is necessary.

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Myxozoan genera: definition and notes on taxonomy, life-cycle terminology and pathogenic species.

A synopsis of 744 nominal species of Myxobolus Butschli, 1882 (Myxozoa, Myxosporea, Myxobolidae) is presented. For each species, the relevant morphometric and morphological data are indicated, as well as the host(s), site(s) of infection within the host and type-locality.

Synopsis of the species of Myxobolus Butschli, 1882 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Myxobolidae).

A revision of the genera Myxobolus and Myxosoma is presented. On the basis of Lom & Noble (1984), all species are designated as Myxobolus. A total of 444 species of Myxobolus, including three subspecies, are listed together with their hosts. All former Myxosoma species are assigned to the genus Myxobolus and those which were previously homonyms or synonyms have been assigned new names where valid. Synonyms and other species omitted from the definitive Myxobolus list are also given.

Taxonomy of the genera of the Myxobolus/Myxosoma group (Myxobolidae: Myxosporea), current listing of species and revision of synonyms

Malaria parasites (genus Plasmodium) are widespread in birds. These pathogens cause pathology of blood and various organs, often resulting in severe avian malaria. Numerous recent studies have reported DNA sequences of avian malaria parasites, indicating rich genetic diversity and the possible existence of many undescribed species. However, the majority of reported Plasmodium lineages remain unidentified to species level, and molecular characterization is unavailable for the majority of described Plasmodium parasites. During the past 15 years, numerous new Plasmodium species have been described. However, keys for their identification are unavailable or incomplete. Identification of avian malaria parasites remains a difficult task even for experts, and this precludes development of avian malariology, particularly in wildlife. Here, keys for avian malaria parasites have been developed as a baseline for assisting academic and veterinary medicine researchers in identification of these pathogens. The main obstacles and future research priorities have been defined in the taxonomy of avian Plasmodium species. The data were considered from published articles and type and voucher material, which was accessed in museums in Europe, the USA and Australia. Blood films containing various blood stages of the majority of described species were examined and used for the development of dichotomous keys for avian Plasmodium species. In all, 164 published articles were included in this review. Blood stages of avian Plasmodium parasites belonging to subgenera Haemamoeba, Giovannolaia, Novyella, Bennettinia and Huffia were analysed and compared. Illustrated keys for identification of subgenera and species of these parasites were developed. Lists of invalid and synonymous Plasmodium parasite names as well as names of doubtful identity were composed. This study shows that 55 described species of avian Plasmodium can be readily identified using morphological features of their blood stages. These were incorporated in the keys. Numerous synonymous names of Plasmodium species and also the names belonging to the category species inquirenda exist, and they can be used as reserves for future taxonomy studies. Molecular markers are unavailable for 58% of described Plasmodium parasites, raising a task for the current avian malaria researchers to fill up this gap.

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Keys to the avian malaria parasites.

A synopsis of the species of Ceratomyxa Thelohan, 1892 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Ceratomyxidae), including a total of 147 species, is presented. For each species the relevant morphological and morphometric data are indicated, as well as the site of infection within the host and the original hosts and locality. A diagrammatic illustration of the spores is also provided.

Synopsis of the species of Ceratomyxa Thélohan, 1892 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Ceratomyxidae)

1.

Eight new species of myxosporidians belonging to the generaLeptotheca, Ceraiomyxa, Myxidium, Zschokkella andMyxobolus have been described.




2.

A new variety ofMyxidium procerum is described.




3.

A detailed description ofChloromyxum amphipnoui Ray is given and it is recorded from a new host.




4.

Myxidium leiberkuhn Butschli is recorded from a new host in India.




5.

Thelohanellus rohitœ (Southwell and Prasad) is recorded for the first time from Calcutta.




6.

Infection withMyxobolus catlœ has been briefly discussed.

Studies on myxosporidia from the common food fishes, of bengal

1.

Three new species ofIsospora have been described.




2.

A new species of the genusDorisiella is recorded and described for the first time from an avian host and also from India.




3.

A new species ofEimeria is described.




4.

Eimeria pfeifferi (Labbe) is reported for the first time from this country.

Mukundamurari Chakravarty

Papers

Studies on myxosporidia from the common food fishes, of bengal

Studies on the Coccidia of Indian birds

Studies on Hæmosporidia from Indian birds—Series II