Description of Choleoeimeria duszynskii n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the gallbladder of the Middle Eastern short-fingered gecko Stenodactylus doriae (Blanford) (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Saudi Arabia

Choleoeimeria duszynskii n. sp. is described from the gallbladder of the Middle Eastern short-fingered gecko Stenodactylus doriae (Blanford) from Salasel, Central region, Saudi Arabia. Oöcysts are ellipsoidal (rarely ovoidal), 23–25 × 16–18 (24 × 17) μm, with mean length/width ratio 1.4. Oöcyst wall is smooth, bi-layered, c.1.0 μm thick. Micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 8–10 × 4–6 (9 × 5) μm, with a smooth, colourless sporocyst wall and mean length/width ratio 1.7. Sporozoites are sausage-shaped, with one end slightly pointed, arranged head to tail around sporocyst residuum. Refractile bodies and nuclei are not discernible. The endogenous development is restricted to the epithelium of the gallbladder and bile duct. Meronts are rounded, 12 μm in diameter, containing up to c.15 merozoites. Microgamonts are irregular in shape, 22 × 17 μm, containing a large number of microgametes. Macrogamonts are spherical, 17 μm in diameter, with centrally located nucleus and wall-forming bodies at the periphery.     

Eimeria sinaitae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the rock agama (Agama sinaita) in Saudi Arabia

Eimeria sinaitae n. sp. is described from the gall bladder of Agama sinaita from Wasie, Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts are elongate-ellipsoid 34.4 x 22.0 (29.0-40.0 x 17.4-24.5) micron. Oocyst wall is smooth, greenish yellow, 1.2 (1.0-1.4) micron thick, and two-layered. Micropyle, polar granule, and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid 11.4 x 7.6 (9.8-15.0 x 6.7-9.0) micron. Sporocyst residuum is present. The sporocysts lack a Stieda body. Sporozoites are crescent-shaped, blunt at one end and tapered at the other. Eimeria species from Agamidae are compared.     

Eimeria sinaitae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Rock Agama (Agama sinaita) in Saudi Arabia

Eimeria sinaitae n. sp. is described from the gall bladder of Agama sinaita from Wasie, Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts are elongate-ellipsoid 34.4 times 22.0 (29.0–40.0 times 17.4–24.5) μm. Oocyst wall is smooth, greenish yellow, 1.2 (1.0–1.4) μm thick, and two-layered. Micropyle, polar granule, and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid 11.4 times 7.6 (9.8–15.0 times 6.7–9.0) μm. Sporocyst residuum is present. The sporocysts lack a Stieda body. Sporozoites are crescent-shaped, blunt at one end and tapered at the other. Eimeria species from Agamidae are compared.     

Eimeria saudiensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) in Saudi Arabia

Oocysts of Eimeria saudiensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from the feces of the Arabian oryx, Oryx leucoryx, from the Riyadh Zoo, Saudi Arabia. The oocysts were ellipsoidal or slightly ovoid, 31.2 x 24.5 (24.3-36.5 x 20.0-27.6) micron with a bilayered wall about 1.7 micron thick. The micropyle was covered by a dome-shaped cap. The oocyst residuum was absent, but tiny polar granules were present. The sporocysts were elongate ovoid, 14.3 x 7.2 (11.5-18.5 x 6.0-9.0) micron, had a Stieda body, but lacked a substiedal body. The sporocyst residuum was present, composed of numerous small granules. The sporozoites were elongate club-shaped, and contained two prominent refractile bodies.     

Eimeria auratae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) infecting the lizard Mabuya aurata in Saudi Arabia

Eimeria auratae n. sp. was described from the gall bladder of the lizard Mabuya aurata collected at Al-Hofuf village, eastern region, Saudi Arabia. Morphology of sporulated as well as non-sporulated oocysts were studied. Sporulated oocysts were ellipsoidal 22-31.5x13.5-21.8 (27.7x18.5) microm with smooth brownish-yellow bilayered wall, 1.1 (0.9-1.3) microm. Micropyle, polar granule and oocyst residuum were absent. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal 10.5-12.8x7.5-9 (11.8x8.5) microm. Sporocyst residuum was present but Stieda body was absent. Sporozoites were crescent-shaped, blunt at one end and slightly tapered at the other. Eimeria species from Scincidae were compared.     

A new Choleoeimeria species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) infecting the gall bladder of Scincus mitranus (Reptilia: Scincidae) in Saudi Arabia

Choleoeimeria mitranusensis n. sp. is described from the gall bladder of the lizard Scincus mitranus in Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of the infection was 20% (6/30). Oocysts were ellipsoidal and measured 29 μm × 20 μm. Sporocysts were dizoic and elliptical in shape. The endogenous development was confined to the gall bladder epithelium. Meronts, gamonts, and young oocysts were detected.     

Isospora elmahalensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae), a Parasite of the White-Cheeked Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) in Saudi Arabia

Isospora elmahalensis n. sp. is described from the Saudi Arabian bird, Pycnonotus leucogenys , from the Elmahala valley. Sporulated oocysts of I. elmahalensis were spherical or nearly subspherical, 19.5–22.5 × 18.5–20 (21.34 ± 0.4 × 19.06 ± 0.5) μm. Oocysts lacked a micropyle, residuum, and polar granule. Sporocysts were ovoid, 14–17.5 × 7–12 (16.08 ± 1.05 × 9.9 ± 1.55) μm, and had a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum, but lacked a substiedal body. Sporozoites were elongated with a clear globule at one end. The host bird belongs to the order Passeriformes.     

Isospora elmahalensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae), a parasite of the white-cheeked bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) in Saudi Arabia

Isospora elmahalensis n. sp. is described from the Saudi Arabian bird, Pycnonotus leucogenys, from the Elmahala valley. Sporulated oocysts of I. elmahalensis were spherical or nearly subspherical, 19.5-22.5 X 18.5-20 (21.34 +/- 0.4 X 19.06 +/- 0.5) microns. Oocysts lacked a micropyle, residuum, and polar granule. Sporocysts were ovoid, 14-17.5 X 7-12 (16.08 +/- 1.05 X 9.9 +/- 1.55) microns, and had a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum, but lacked a substiedal body. Sporozoites were elongated with a clear globule at one end. The host bird belongs to the order Passeriformes.     

Ecology of the Sand Boa,Eryx jayakari in Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia

The ecology, feeding habits and sexual dimorphism in Arabian Sand Boa, Eryx jayakari from the Central region of Saudi Arabia, were studied. In this study the E. jayakari was recorded for the first time from several sites. Significant differences were noted in total length of body and tail, and body diameter of male and female. The females were of larger size. The mean number of the dorsal body scales, ventrals and subcaudal for both sexes were not significantly different. The mean number of the dorsal body scales, ventral body scales and subcaudal scales for the females was 43, 169 and 18 scales which were not significantly different from respectively ones in males 42, 168 and 18 scales. Frequent prey consumed were lizards (50%), rodents (25%) and arthropods (12.5%).     

Goussia chalupskyi n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the chub Leuciscus cephalus (Cyprinidae)

Oöcysts of Goussia chalupskyi n. sp. are described from the faeces of the chub Leuciscus cephalus (Cyprinidae) from Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic. The oöcysts are spherical, 11.0 (10.5–11.5) m in diameter. The sporocysts are broadly oval to subspherical, 7.7 (7.0–8.5) × 5.7 (5.0–6.5) m, with a sporocyst residuum composed of 2–4 granules. Merogonial and gamogonial stages were found in the posterior part of the intestine.     

Eimeria gastrosauris n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the stomach epithelium of Australian geckoes

Eimeria gastrosauris n. sp. exhibited endogenous development in the stomach lining and secretory epithelia of Heteronotia binoei from the Mt Isa region, northern Queensland. Morphologically similar coccidians were found in the stomach of Oedura monilis from the Mt Speke region, northern Queensland. Oöcysts were oblong-ellipsoids, with bivalved sporocysts, two distinct residua and endogenous sporulation. Oöcysts of similar shape and size were also found in faeces of Gehyra australis from the Townsville region of northern Queensland. Developmental stages, consisting of meronts, merozoites, microgamonts, macrogamonts and developing oöcysts, were observed in H. binoei and O. monilis, and are described.     

Two new coccidia (Apicomplexa:Eimeriidae) from the green peacock (Pavo muticus) from Saudi Arabia

Two new species of Eimeria were found from faecal samples of ten green peacocks (Pavo muticus) collected at Al-Kharj area, a central region of Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria mutica n.sp. are ellipsoidal 23.1×17.4 (22.4–25.0×16.7–18.9) μm, with a smooth bilayered wall. A micropyle and bilobed polar body are present, but without an oocyst residuum. The sporocyst is an elongated-ovoid 13.7×6.2 (12.0–14.2×5.4–6.7) μm, with a Stieda body and a residuum. Sporulated oocysts of E. kharjensis n.sp. are subspherical 20.3×17.7 (19.0–21.5×16.2–18.7) μm, with a two layered wall and a single polar body. The micropyle is covered by a dome-shaped cap and the sporocyst is an elongate-ovoid 12.7×6.3 (11.9–13.5×5.4–6.8) μm, with a Stieda body. The sporocyst residuum is present as several small granules.     

Caryospora uptoni n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis borealis)

Oocysts of Caryospora uptoni n. sp. were described from the feces of red-tailed hawks, Buteo jamaicensis borealis. Sporulated oocysts were spherical or subspherical and measured 28.1 by 26.4 micron. The oocyst wall was composed of a yellowish outer layer and brownish inner layer and was about 1.5 micron thick. Neither micropyle, polar granules, nor oocyst residuum were present. A single, spherical sporocyst 18.2 by 17.9 micron was present; a Stieda body was absent. A spherical eccentrically located sporocyst residuum was present in many sporocysts, but it degenerated to form a dispersed granular residuum in other sporocysts. Eight randomly arranged sporozoites, 12.6 by 4.2 micron, were present in each sporocyst; they contained a centrally or slightly posteriorly located nucleus.     

Redescription of Eimeria zarudnyi Alyousif & Al-Shawa, 2003 as Choleoeimeria zarudnyi n. comb. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae)

Coprological examination of the worm lizard Diplometopon zarudnyi Nikolskii revealed the presence of oöcysts of Choleoeimeria zarudnyi (Alyousif & Al-Shawa, 2003) n. comb. in five (17%) of the 30 lizards examined. Sporulated oöcysts were found in the faeces and the gallbladder contents. These are tetrasporocystic, ellipsoidal, 25–32 × 18–25 (mean 27 × 22) μm, with a smooth bi-layered wall. The dizoic sporocysts are ovoidal, 10–13 × 6–9 (mean 11 × 7) μm, with a granulated sporocyst residuum. Sporozoites are banana-shaped with an average size of 13 × 3 μm. Endogenous stages (meronts, gamonts and gametes) are confined to the gallbladder epithelium and the infected cells were hypertrophied. Based on the morphological features of the exogenous stages and the endogenous development of the present parasite, its generic affiliation is revised and Eimeria zarudnyi Alyousif & Al-Shawa, 2003 is transferred to the genus Choleoeimeria.     

Isospora daphnensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis) from the Galapagos Islands

In March and April 1987 fecal samples from 237 nestling birds, including 199 from 85 nest sites of Geospiza fortis, 23 from 12 nest sites of Geospiza scandens, 6 from 2 nest sites of Geospiza magnirostris, and 9 from 2 nest sites of hybrids involving Geospiza fuliginosa and G. fortis, were collected from Daphne Major in the Galapagos archipelago and examined for coccidia. Only 3 of 4 nestlings from 1 nest site of G. fortis (1.5%) had oocysts in their feces. Two of the 3 infected nestlings had concurrent infections of Isospora temeraria, and all 3 nestlings were infected with a new species. Isospora daphnensis n. sp. Sporulated oocysts of I. daphnensis n. sp. are ellipsoidal, 27.3 x 23.6 (22-30 x 20-27) microns; a polar body is present, but no oocyst residuum or micropyle occurs. The oocyst wall, approximately 1.5 microns thick, is composed of a mammillated outer layer and thinner inner layer. Sporocysts are ovoid, 15.2 x 10.2 (15-16 x 9-11) microns and have a nipplelike Stieda body and a small substieda body. The sporocysts contain an irregularly shaped, smoothly contoured residuum with uniform granules and 4 sporozoites with a large refractile body at one end and lying randomly in the sporocysts.     

Eimeria pipistrellus n. sp. from Pipistrellus kuhlii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Saudi Arabia

Fecal samples from 12 Pipistrellus kuhlii captured at Shagrah, Saudi Arabia, were examined for coccidia and three (25%) found to harbor a undescribed eimerian, herein described as Eimeria pipistrellus n. sp. Sporulated oocysts were subspherical, 24.8 x 23.2 (22-27 x 20-25) microns, with a bilayered and smooth wall. The micropyle was absent, but a large oocyst residuum and a single polar granule were present. Sporocysts were ovoid, 11.6 x 8.3 (10.5-13 x 7.5-9) microns, with a prominent Stieda body, but without a substiedal body; sporozoites lay head to tail in sporocysts and contained one large posterior refractile body. Eimeria pipistrellus n. sp. is the 3rd species of the genus Eimeria found from bats of the genus Pipistrellus.     

Three new species of lsospora (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae), from the White-cheeked Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) in Saudi Arabia

This paper describes three new species of Isospora from Pycnonotus 1eucogenys in Saudi Arabia ( I. gatifenensis sp.n.; I. khobarensis sp.n. and I. hafoufenensis sp.n.). Sporulated oocyats of I. gatifenensis are ovoidal, 23-26.5 ± 16.5-19(25.03 ± 0.12 ± 18.13 ± 0.09))μm and sporocysts are elongated ovoidal 17-20.5 ± 8-11 (18.9 ± 0.09 ± 9.3 ± 0.07) μm. Sporulated oocysts of I. khobarensis are ovoidal 22-26 ± 15.5-19 (24.3 ± 0.18 ± 17.1 ± 0.19)μm and sporocysts are pyriform 13-16 ± 9-11.5 (14.8 ± 0.15 ± 9.9 ± 0.13)μm. Sporulated oocysts of I. hafoufenensis are ovoidal 22-27 ± 19-24(25.4 ± 0.25 ± 22.1 ± 0.26) μm and sporocysts are ovoidal 14.5-18 ± 8-13 (16.5 ± 0.14 ± 11.4 ± 0.18) μm.     

Eimeria ladronensis n. sp. and E. albigulae (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the woodrat, Neotoma albigula (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Of 50 white-throated woodrats (Neotoma albigula) collected from Socorro Co., New Mexico, 21 (42%) had eimerian oocysts in their feces when examined. Of the 21 Neotoma found positive for Eimeria, 19 (90%) harbored a single eimerian species at time of examination. Eimeria albigulae Levine, Ivens & Kruidenier, 1957, was found in 18 (86%), and E. ladronensis n. sp. was found in five (24%) infected woodrats. Sporulated oocysts of E. ladronensis are ellipsoidal, 19-25 X 13-15 (21.4 +/- 1.3 X 14.1 +/- 1.1) micron, have a smooth wall and one or two polar granules, but lack a micropyle and an oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are tapered at one end, 7-10 X 6-7 (8.5 +/- 0.7 X 6.5 +/- 0.3) micron, and have a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum, but no substieda body. Prepatent periods for E. albigulae and E. ladronensis n. sp. are 5-6 and 8-9 days, respectively; patent periods are 7-18 and approximately 11 days, respectively.