Fig. 2

In vitro exflagellation (a), gametes (b, c), zygote (d) and ookinetes (e, f) of Haemoproteus hirundinis (hDELURB2). a Exflagellating microgametocyte. b Macrogamete. c Microgamete. d Zygote (note presence of a large vacuole in the cytoplasm). e Developing ookinete 3 h after exposure of mature gametocytes to air (note the presence of a long outgrowth and few vacuoles). f Mature ookinete with anterior end thinner than the posterior end (note the presence of a prominent vacuole, and absence of pigment granules). Long simple arrows, nuclei of parasites; short simple arrows, vacuoles; simple arrowhead, pigment granules. Methanol-fixed and Giemsa-stained thin films. Scale-bar: 10 µm