Choleoeimeria ghaffari n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the gallbladder of Eryx jayakari Boulenger (Serpentes: Boidae) in Saudi Arabia

Choleoeimeria ghaffari n. sp. is described from the gallbladder of Eryx jayakari Boulenger in Saudi Arabia. Oöcysts are tetrasporocystic, cylindroidal, 23 × 14 μm, with a smooth bi-layered wall and length/width ratio of 1.5, without micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule. Sporocysts are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 8 × 6 μm, with length/width ratio of 1.4, without Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies but with sporocyst residuum. Sporozoites are banana-shaped measuring 10 × 1.5 μm. The endogenous development was found to occur in the gallbladder epithelium and the extrahepatic bile ducts. Mature meronts are spheroidal, c.10 μm wide, and suspected to produce 12–16 merozoites. Microgamonts are irregular in shape, 13 × 10 μm, whereas macrogamonts are mostly subspheroidal, c.12 μm wide, with a prominent centrally-located nucleus. Based on oöcyst morphology and the site of endogenous development (epithelium of the gallbladder and bile ducts) the new eimeriid coccidian was placed in the genus Choleoeimeria Paperna & Landsberg, 1989.     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora riyadhensis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the worm lizard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diplometopon zarudnyi</Emphasis> Nikolskii (Amphisbaenia: Trogonophidae) in Saudi Arabia

Isospora riyadhensis n. sp. is described from the intestine of the worm lizard Diplometopon zarudnyi Nikolskii in Saudi Arabia, where its prevalence was 26.6%. Its oöcysts are spherical to subspherical and measure 23 × 20 μm. The sporocysts, which are tetrazoic and ovoid, measure 13 × 8 μm, whereas their sporozoites are banana-shaped, have anterior and posterior refractile bodies and measure 12 × 3 μm. Oöcysts are passed unsporulated, and the majority become fully sporulated within 3 days at 25°C. All endogenous stages develop in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the posterior region of the small intestine, from where meronts, microgamonts and macrogamonts are described.     

Two new species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from ground skinks,Scincella lateralis (Sauria: Scincidae), from Arkansas,USA

Between February 2011 and January 2014, 75 ground skinks, Scincella lateralis (Say) were collected from 13 counties of Arkansas and McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA, and examined for coccidia. Two (3%) and 11 (15%) S. lateralis were found to be passing oöcysts of a new choleoeimerian and isosporan, respectively. Oöcysts of Choleoeimeria ouachitensis n. sp. are ellipsoidal to cylindroidal with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall and measure 27.2 × 15.6 μm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.7; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but 1–2 polar granule(s) are present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 8.9 × 6.8 μm, L/W 1.3; neither Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are present; the walls have two valves joined by longitudinal sutures; a sporocyst residuum consisted of dispersed granules between sporozoites. Oöcysts of Isospora koberi n. sp. are ovoidal with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall and measure 25.1 × 20.5 μm, L/W 1.2; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is rarely present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 11.4 × 8.6 μm, L/W 1.3; a nipple-like Stieda body and a sub-Stieda body are present without a para-Stieda body; a sporocyst residuum consisted of condensed granules dispersed between sporozoites. This is the second choleoeimerian and third isosporan reported from S. lateralis.     

Four new coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Plateau zokor,Myospalax baileyi Thomas (Rodentia: Myospalacinae), a subterranean rodent from Haibei area,Qinghai Province,China

Thirty-eight faecal samples from the Plateau zokor, Myospalax baileyi Thomas, collected in the Haibei Area, Qinghai Province, China, were examined for the presence of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). Seventeen of 38 faecal samples (44.7%) were found to contain coccidian oöcysts representing four new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875, and four of 17 (23.5%) infected zokors were concurrently infected with two or three of these eimerian species. The sporulated oöcysts of Eimeria myospalacensis n. sp. are ovoidal, 9.5–17.0 × 8.0–13.0 (mean 13.0 × 10.4) μm; a polar granule is present, oöcyst residuum is absent; sporocysts are ovoidal, 4.5–7.5 × 3.0–5.0 (mean 6.3 × 4.2) μm and have both a Stieda body and residuum. Oöcysts of Eimeria fani n. sp. are ellipsoidal to cylindroidal, 12.5–16.0 × 8.0–11.0 (mean 14.6 × 9.9) μm; a polar granule is present, but micropyle and residuum are lacking; sporocysts are ovoidal, 4.5–7.5 × 3.0–5.3 (mean 6.7 × 4.4) μm; a residuum and a Steida body are present. Oöcysts of Eimeria baileyii n. sp. are ellipsoidal, 15.0–23.0 × 12.0–18.0 (mean 18.2 × 13.7) μm; a polar granule is present but oöcyst residuum is absent; sporocysts are ovoidal, 8.0–11.0 × 5.0–7.0 (mean 9.5 × 5.9) μm and have both a Stieda body and residuum. Oöcysts of Eimeria menyuanensis n. sp. are ovoidal, 12.5–21.0 × 11.0–18.0 (mean 17.1 × 14.6) μm, with a distinct micropyle c.2.5 μm wide; a polar granule is present but a residuum is absent; sporocysts are ovoidal, 8.0–12.0 × 5.0–7.0 (mean 10.2 × 6.4) μm, and have both a Stieda body and residuum.     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora</Emphasis> Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the buffy-fronted seedeater <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporophila frontalis</Emphasis> Verreaux (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) in South America

Three new coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) species from the buffy-fronted seedeater Sporophila frontalis Verraux in Brazil are reported in the current study. Isospora frontalis n. sp. oöcysts are spherical to sub-spherical, 27.9 × 26.9 μm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall c.1.4 μm thick. A micropyle and an oöcyst residuum are absent, but polar granules are present. Sporocysts are elongate ellipsoidal, 19.6 × 11.1 μm. The Stieda body is knob-like and the substieda body is slight. The sporocyst residuum is composed of scattered granules, and the sporozoites are vermiform with a refractile body and a nucleus. Isospora teresopoliensis n. sp. oöcysts are spherical to sub-spherical, 25.7 × 24.3 μm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall 1.3 μm thick. A micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid, 18.8 × 11.2 μm. The Stieda body is nipple-shaped and the substieda body is large and prominent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of scattered granules, and the sporozoites are large and elongate, with a refractile body and nucleus. Oöcysts of Isospora chanchaoi n. sp. are spherical to sub-spherical or ovoid, 24.2 × 22.0 μm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall c.1.2 μm thick. Both a micropyle and an oöcyst residuum are absent, but one or two polar granules are present. The sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 16.1 × 10.3 μm. The Stieda body is nipple-shaped and the substieda body is small but prominent. The sporocyst residuum forms a compact mass of granules, and the sporozoites are large and elongate, with a refractile body and a nucleus.     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria</Emphasis> Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gerbilliscus guineae</Emphasis> Thomas (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) in the Niokolo Koba National Park,Senegal

We describe two new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from the gerbiline rodent Gerbilliscus guineae in the Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal. Faecal examination of samples revealed the presence of sporulated oöcysts of two eimerian coccidia, both possessing an oöcyst residuum. Eimeria permira n. sp. is remarkable in terms of oöcyst size and oöcyst wall texture. Sporulated oöcysts are ellipsoidal, 45.8 (42–50) × 32.5 (31–38) μm; the oöcyst wall is 3–4 μm thick, composed of three layers, with the outer layer sheathed by rough granular material; and the sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 15.4 (15–16) × 11 and with a Stieda body present. Oöcysts of Eimeria gerbillisci n. sp. are subspherical, 22.5 (19.5–24) × 18.8 (16.5–20) μm, with a colourless, faintly granulated oöcyst wall 1.5 thick; and the sporocysts are 10.1 (10–12) × 6.7 (6–8), broadly ellipsoidal and often somewhat pointed towards both ends.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora</Emphasis> Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in Ruppell’s agama <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agama rueppelli</Emphasis> (Vaillant) (Sauria: Agamidae) from East Africa,with a review of this genus in agamid lizards

Coprological examinations of eight Ruppell’s agamas Agama rueppelli (Vaillant) revealed the presence of a coccidium of the genus Isospora Schneider, 1881 that represents a previously undescribed species. Oöcysts of Isospora farahi n. sp. are spherical or subspherical, 29.1 (26–31) × 28.8 (26–31) μm, with a shape-index of 1.01 (1–1.07). An oöcyst residuum, polar granules and micropyle are absent. The oöcyst wall is bilayered, brownish and smooth, c. 1.5–2 μm thick. The sporocysts are oval, 16.6 (15–18) × 11.4 (11–12) μm, with a shape-index of 1.46 (1.25–1.64) and both Stieda and substieda bodies. A sporocyst residuum is present as medium-sized granules scattered irregularly among the sporozoites. The sporozoites are vermiform, with a large posterior spherical refractile body. Endogenous development is intranuclear in the epithelial cells of the small intestine. Sporulation is unknown, as oöcysts were recovered from the faeces.     

Description of the oöcysts of two new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the rough earth snake Virginia striatula (Serpentes: Colubridae) in Texas and Arkansas

Coccidian oöcysts recovered from the faeces of rough earth snakes Virginia striatula (Serpentes: Colubridae) were found to represent two previously unreported eimerians. Oöcysts of Eimeria desotoensis n. sp. were found in 5/32 (16%) of the snakes and were spherical to ellipsoidal, 18.4 × 17.2 (15–21.5 × 15–19.5) μm, with a thin, single-layered wall; their shape-index (length/width) was 1.07 (1.00–1.23). A micropyle and oöcyst residuum were absent; polar granule were present in 33% of the oöcysts. The sporocysts were ovoidal, 11.5 × 7.6 (10.5–13 × 7–8) μm, with a Stieda body; their shape-index was 1.51 (1.30–1.68). The sporocyst residuum was moderate in size and composed of a cluster of granules. Oöcysts of Eimeria hobartsmithi n. sp. were found in 2/32 (6%) of the snakes and were subspherical to ellipsoidal, 18.0 × 15.7 (16–20 × 15–17) μm, with a thin, single-layered wall; their shape-index was 1.15 (1.02–1.32). A micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule were absent. The sporocysts were elongate, 13.2 × 6.3 (12–14.5 × 6–6.5) μm, with a Stieda body; their shape-index was 2.10 (1.88–2.34). A large sporocyst residuum was present in each sporocyst, often obscuring the sporozoites. In addition to the two new species, oöcysts of E. striatula Upton & McAllister, 1990 were observed in 38% of the snakes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora bocamontensis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the yellow cardinal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gubernatrix cristata</Emphasis> (Vieillot) (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) in South America

A new coccidian species (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is reported from the endangered yellow cardinal Gubernatrix cristata (Vieillot) in southern Brazil. Isospora bocamontensis n. sp. has oöcysts which are subspheroidal, measure 32.1 × 28.9 μm and have a smooth, bilayered wall c.1.5 μm thick. The micropyle and the oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is sometimes present. Its sporocysts are ellipsoidal and 17.3 × 12.2 μm in size and contain a half-moon-shaped Stieda body, a prominent, homogeneous substieda body; and a sporocyst residuum composed of a compact mass of granules. The sporozoites have one refractile body and a nucleus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria maricopensis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Arizona cotton rat <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sigmodon arizonae</Emphasis> Mearns (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in central Arizona,USA

Eimeria maricopensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from 2 of 15 (13%) Arizona cotton rats Sigmodon arizonae Mearns in Arizona, USA. Sporulated oöcysts of this new species are ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 20–28 × 16–22 (24.9 × 19.2) µm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but fragmented polar granule material is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 11–14 × 6–8 (12.9 × 7.0) µm, with a Stieda body, sub-Stieda body, and sporocyst residuum; sporozoites are elongate with a spheroidal anterior refractile body and a subspheroidal posterior refractile body. In addition, sporulated oöcysts of Eimeria sigmodontis Barnard, Ernst & Dixon, 1974, Eimeria tuskegeensis Barnard, Ernst & Dixon, 1974 and Eimeria webbae Barnard, Ernst & Dixon, 1974 are described from S. arizonae. This is the first report on the coccidia of S. arizonae.     

Isospora canaria Box, 1975 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from canaries Serinus canaria Linnaeus (Passeriformes: Fringillidae) in Brazil

Isospora canaria Box, 1975 (Protozoa, Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) is reported and described from canaries Serinus canaria (Linnaeus) in southeast Brazil. Its oöcysts are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 24.4 × 22.2 μm, with smooth, bilayered wall, ~1.2 μm. The micropyle and the oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is present. The sporocysts are lemon-shaped, 17.6 × 10.6 μm. The Stieda body is nipple-like, and substieda body is prominent and homogeneous. The sporocyst residuum is composed of scattered granules. The sporozoite has anterior and posterior refractile bodies and a nucleus. The report of this coccidium recovered from exotic canaries in South America is relevant to native passerines, mainly to Carduelis yarrellii, which are listed as vulnerable species by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).     

Two new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from emerald tree skinks, Lamprolepis smaragdina (Lesson) (Sauria: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea and the Philippines

Two new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875, from emerald tree skinks, Lamprolepis smaragdina (Lesson) are described from specimens collected in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Philippines. Oöcysts of Eimeria nuiailan n. sp. from the only L. smaragdina from PNG are ovoidal, with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall, measure 23.7 × 19.1 μm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.3; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a fragmented polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 11.9 × 7.0 μm, L/W 1.7, and the wall is composed of two valves joined by a longitudinal suture; neither Stieda nor sub-Stieda bodies are present; a sporocyst residuum is present as a compact mass of granules. Sporozoites are elongate, 14.6 × 2.6 μm, and contain anterior and posterior refractile bodies with a nucleus between them. Oöcysts of Eimeria auffenbergi n. sp. from L. smaragdina collected in the Philippines are ovoidal, with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall, measure 19.9 × 15.8 μm, L/W 1.3; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but one to four polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 10.3 × 5.8 μm, L/W 1.8, and the wall is composed of two valves joined by a longitudinal suture; neither Stieda nor sub-Stieda bodies are present; a sporocyst residuum is composed of dispersed granules.     

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the dusky rice rat Melanomys caliginosus (Tomes) (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Costa Rica

We collected faecal samples from 24 dusky rice rats, Melanomys caliginosus (Tomes) (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae), in a Biological Reserve in Costa Rica, and found three (12.5%) to be infected with a species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875, which we describe here as new. Sporulated oöcysts of Eimeria caliginosa n. sp. are almost spheroidal and measure 16–21 × 17–20 (mean 19.6 × 18.2) μm; micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 9–13 × 6–8 (mean 11.2 × 6.7) μm, with small Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies present, but a para-Stieda body is absent; the sporocyst residuum is a compact mass of c.11–15 granules, c.5 μm wide. Sporozoites are crescent-shaped, 5–8 × 2–3 (mean 6.8 × 2.4) μm. This is the third species of Eimeria described from the genus Melanomys Thomas.     

A new species of Caryospora Léger, 1904 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the snake Philodryas olfersii Lichtenstein (Colubridae) from a coastal habitat in Brazil

A new coccidian species of the genus Caryospora Léger, 1904 (Protozoa, Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) is reported from the colubrid snake host Philodryas olfersii Lichtenstein at a coastal area in the State of Rio de Janeiro, south-eastern Brazil. Oöcysts of Caryospora olfersii n. sp. are spherical to sub-spherical, 33.1 × 31.2 μm, with smooth, colourless, three-layered wall, c.1.4; middle layer lightly striated. Micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are all absent. Sporocysts are ovoid, 22.9 × 17.4 μm on average, with one extremity in the shape of a short neck. Stieda body present, 3.2 × 1.3 μm, sub-Stieda body present, homogeneous, larger than Stieda body, 4.5 × 1.7 μm. Sporozoites are inserted in a bulky sporocyst residuum.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria abmitu</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the razor-billed curassow <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mitu tuberosum</Emphasis> Spix (Galliformes: Cracidae)

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from a cracid bird, Mitu tuberosum Spix, held in captivity is described from Brazil. Oöcysts of Eimeria abmitu n. sp. are ovoid, with a smooth, colourless, bilayered wall, measure 24.2 × 15.5 μm and have a length/width ratio of 1.56. The sporulated oöcysts contain two to five polar granules and four ellipsoidal sporocysts measuring 13.6 × 6.4 μm, each with a small crescent-shaped Stieda body, a sub-Stieda body, a loosely granular sporocyst residuum and two comma-shaped sporozoites each with a spherical refractile body.     

Description of the oöcysts of Eimeria whitakeri n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from least shrews,Cryptotis parva (Insectivora: Soricidae)

Oöcysts of Eimeria whitakeri n. sp. are described from the faeces of the least shrew, Cryptotis parva (Insectivora: Soricidae), from Texas, USA. The oöcysts are spherical to subspherical, 17.4 × 16.4 (15–19 × 13–18.5) μm, with a bi-layered wall; their shape-index (length/width) is 1.1 (1.0–1.2). A micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a large polar granule is present. The sporocysts are ovoidal, 11.2 × 7.5 (9.5–12 × 6.5–8) μm, with Stieda and substieda bodies; their shape-index is 1.5 (1.4–1.6). The sporozoites each possess both anterior and posterior refractile bodies.