Haemosporidia

/hɛmɒˈspɔːrɪdiə/ noun

Definition

A group or phylum of parasitic protozoans that live in the blood of vertebrate animals and are spread by blood-feeding insects.

Etymology

Plural or taxonomic grouping of haemosporid, using the Latin scientific naming convention. The -idia suffix indicates a collection or class of organisms within scientific taxonomy.

Kelly Says

This is how scientists organize the tree of life—by grouping organisms with shared characteristics. The Haemosporidia includes dozens of deadly parasites, with malaria being just the most famous one.

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