As in all Plasmodium species, P. cnemidophori has both vertebrate and insect hosts.

[1] The schizonts and gametocytes caused hypertrophy and distortion of host cell and nucleus.

The schizonts are usually polar in position, rounded in shape, and may produce over 100 merozoites.

Large schizonts visibly enlarge the erythrocyte.

This species is found in Brazil, Panama and Venezuela.