Redescription of Babesia equi Laveran, 1901 as Theileria equi Mehlhorn, Schein 1998.
Abstract: The horse-parasitizing species Babesia equi Laveran, 1901 was redescribed as Theileria equi Mehlhorn, Schein 1998 and, thus, transferred from one valid genus to another. This transfer was needed since it turned out that this horse parasite showed the relevant characteristics of theilerians with regard to biological data, morphological features, biochemical properties, and molecular biological relationships.
Publication Date: 1998-07-11 PubMed ID: 9660136DOI: 10.1007/s004360050431Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The researchers conducted a study to redefine the horse parasites, Babesia equi, as Theileria equi due to specific morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics that correspond more closely with the Theileria genus.
Background of the Study
- Before this research, Babesia equi, a species of parasites that affect horses, was classified under the genus Babesia. The taxonomy of minuscule organisms like parasites is often tricky and susceptible to change as scientific knowledge progresses.
- The reclassification of organisms is not uncommon in the field of biology and is often necessary when new data suggests that an organism has been improperly classified initially.
Objective of the Research
- The main purpose of the research was to reexamine the classification of Babesia equi under the light of new biological, morphological, biochemical and molecular evidence.
- This study was aimed at establishing the need to redcribe Babesia equi as Theileria equi, transferring it to a new, more accurate genus.
Findings of the Research
- The research found that the characteristics of the horse parasite previously known as Babesia equi aligned more with the features of organisms in the Theileria genus.
- The decision to transfer Babesia equi to the Theileria genus was based upon various factors such as biological data, morphological characteristics, biochemical properties, and molecular biological relationships.
- This reclassification serves to better represent the biological reality of this horse parasite and will allow for more accurate scientific communication and research in the field of parasitology.
Cite This Article
APA
Mehlhorn H, Schein E.
(1998).
Redescription of Babesia equi Laveran, 1901 as Theileria equi Mehlhorn, Schein 1998.
Parasitol Res, 84(6), 467-475.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s004360050431 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Zoology and Parasitology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
- Arachnid Vectors / parasitology
- Babesia / classification
- Babesia / cytology
- Babesia / growth & development
- Erythrocytes / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses / parasitology
- Life Cycle Stages
- Lymphocytes / parasitology
- Naphthoquinones / therapeutic use
- Piperidines
- Quinazolines / therapeutic use
- Quinazolinones
- Theileria / classification
- Theileria / cytology
- Theileria / growth & development
- Theileriasis / drug therapy
- Theileriasis / parasitology
- Ticks / parasitology
Citations
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