Population dynamics of Plasmodium sporogony.
Malaria transmission relies on the sporogonic development of Plasmodium parasites within insect vectors. Sporogony is a complex process that involves several morphologically distinct life-stages and can be described in terms of population dynamics: changes in the abundance and distribution of successive life-stages throughout development. Recent publications on the population dynamics of sporogony are reviewed, with special attention to the differences and similarities among the parasite-vector systems examined thus far. Understanding the population dynamics of malaria parasites within their natural vectors will lead to a better understanding of how malaria parasites survive and are maintained within mosquitoes.
Vaughan
Jefferson A
JA
Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58201-9019, USA. jefferson_vaughan@und.nodak.edu
D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology*; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000254:growth & development*; D011157:Population Dynamics