Plasmodium circumflexum (Kikuth) in Ruffed Grouse in Ontario

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Abstract
The development of a strain of Plasmodium circumflexum in the ruffed grouse in Ontario has been followed. It has also been compared with another strain of this species and with P lophurae. The grouse strain was transferred to grouse, canaries, ducks and turkeys. No pathogenic effect was observed in any of these birds. Development occurred more readily in the grouse than in any of the other birds, although it has been carried through more than 12 successive transfers in canaries. Attempts to transfer it to pheasants were unsuccessful. Parasites persisted in the peripheral blood of one grouse for 8 months, whereas in canaries it was observed in peripheral blood for 2-15 days, except in one instance in which it was recovered for 40 days. It appeared in the peripheral circulation of one duck for 6 days and in the turkeys for 2 days. No well defined synchronicity or periodicity was observed. There were some morphological changes following repeated transfers to canaries.