Description of the first cryptic avian malaria parasite, Plasmodium homocircumflexum n. sp., with experimental data on its virulence and development in avian hosts and mosquitoes

- We provide information about cryptic speciation of avian malaria parasites.
- Plasmodium homocircumflexum (pCOLL4) is a highly virulent malaria parasite.
- Exoerythrocytic stages of P. homocircumflexum are formed in various organs.
- Anemia and cerebral paralysis cause death in experimentally infected canaries.