Zoonotic origin of the human malaria parasite *Plasmodium malariae* from African apes

The origins of the human malaria parasite *Plasmodium malariae* have been unclear despite the existence of closely related parasites in African apes (*Plasmodium rodhaini*) and New World monkeys (*Plasmodium brasilianum*). This study used a novel approach to analyze *P. malariae*-related sequences in African apes, revealing three distinct lineages. One represents a new species infecting chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas. Another ape-derived lineage is closely related to the human *P. malariae* lineage but shows limited genetic exchange, suggesting a separate species. Genetic polymorphisms in *P. malariae* indicate a zoonotic transmission from an African ape parasite, similar to the origin of *P. falciparum*. *P. brasilianum*, however, falls within the *P. malariae* radiation, indicating a recent anthroponosis.

Lindsey J. Plenderleith, Weimin Liu, Yingying Li, Dorothy E. Loy, Ewan Mollison, Jesse Connell, Aihido Ayouba, Amandine Esteban, Martine Peeters, Crickette M. Sanz, David B. Morgan, Nathan D. Wolfe, Markus Ulrich, Andreas Sachse, Sébastien Calvignac-Spencer, Fabian H. Leendertz, George M. Shaw, Beatrice H. Hahn, Paul M. Sharp