Abstract: | SYNOPSIS. Plasmodium berghei NK65 was passed thru Anopheles stephensi to golden hamsters and mice. The percent cumulative mortality was compared after each mosquito passage in early (7–13) blood passages. The strain was found to have divided into demes (populations) retaining original virulence and demes which were less virulent. The separation of virulent and less virulent demes was traced to its origin. Both virulent and less virulent demes can be passed thru mosquitoes and hamsters. No concomitant organism has been identified. |