Haematozoa of Zambian birds VI. Haemoproteids of small passerines with particular reference toHaemoproteus passerisand theH. fringillae/H. orizivoraecomplex

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Abstract
H. 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. All haemoproteids occurring in Ploceidae probably are H. passeris. H. fringillae occurs in Fringillidae and Sylviidae; H. orizivorae occurs in these 2 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 characters tabulated for these latter 3 spp. enable a diagnosis to be made provided parasitemia is sufficiently high. H. serini is probably a synonym of either H. fringillae or H. orizivorae; H. macropigmentatus and H. chloriis are synonyms of H. fringillae; and H. globulosus is a synonym of H. orizivorae.