plasmodium cephalophi plasmodium cephalophi plasmodium cephalophi is a parasite of the genus plasmodium subgenus vinckeia. as in all plasmodium species, p. cephalophi has both vertebrate and insect hosts. the vertebrate hosts for this parasite are mammals. plasmodium cephalophi scientific classification domain: eukaryota clade: diaphoretickes clade: tsar clade: sar clade: alveolata phylum: apicomplexa class: aconoidasida order: haemospororida family: plasmodiidae genus: plasmodium species: p. cephalophi binomial name plasmodium cephalophibruce et al., 1913 taxonomy the parasite was first described by bruce et al. in 1913. description the schizonts give rise to 8-12 merozoites. mature merozoites measure 10 x 10 micrometres. the merozoites are large measuring 3.5 by 4.0 micrometres. the gametocytes are round and possess a number of darkly staining granules. the infected erythrocytes are pale. distribution this species was described in malawi. hosts the parasite was found in the blood of two antelopes (cephalophus grimmi). it is also known to infect the grey duiker (sylvicapra grimmia)