Article
Transmission success of the malaria parasite Plasmodium mexicanum into its vector: role of gametocyte density and sex ratio
1 Dec 2000
Abstract excerpt
The life-cycle of Plasmodium depends on transmission of the parasite from the vertebrate host into its vector when the insect takes a bloodmeal. Transmission success may depend in part on the parasite's gametocyte density and sex ratio in the blood. P. mexicanum, a parasite of fence lizards in California, USA, exploits the sandfly Lutzomyia vexator as its vector. In experimental transmissions using naturally...