Cross-transmission studies with Eimeria arizonensis, E. arizonensis-like oocysts and Eimeria langebarteli: host specificity at the genus and species level within the Muridae

Cross-transmission experiments were done using sporulated oocysts of Eimeria arizonensis from Peromyscus truei and Peromyscus maniculatus, and oocysts of 2 putative species that resemble E. arizonensis, i.e., Eimeria albigulae from Neotoma albigula, and Eimeria onychomysis from Onychomys leucogaster. Oocysts of each species were inoculated into representatives of P. maniculatus and the latter 2 rodent species. Other experiments were conducted wherein oocysts of Eimeria langebarteli from Peromyscus leucopus were given to P. truei and P. maniculatus. Oocysts of E. arizonensis from P. truei and P. maniculatus could be transmitted only to P. maniculatus; likewise, oocysts of E. albigulae and E. onychomysis produced patent infections only in N. albigula and O. leucogaster, respectively. Oocysts of E. langebarteli from P. leucopus could be transmitted to P. truei, but not P. maniculatus. These results indicate that E. arizonensis, and the morphologically similar E. albigulae and E. onychomysis, are distinct species that are not transmissible between the genera of their respective hosts (Peromyscus, Neotoma, Onychomys), and that some isolates of E. langebarteli, reported from 6 species of Peromyscus and Reithrodontomys megalotis, may not always be infective to P. maniculatus.     

New host and locality records of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from rodents in the southwestern and western United States.

One hundred forty-seven murid and heteromyid rodents were collected from various sites in the southwestern and western United States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah) and Baja California Norte, Mexico, and their feces were examined for coccidial parasites. Of these, 53 (36%) were infected with at least 1 coccidian; 45 of 53 (85%) of the infected rodents harbored only 1 species of coccidian. Infected rodents included: 10 of 22 (45%) Neotoma albigula, 3 of 11 (27%) Neotoma floridana, 2 of 14 (14%) Neotoma lepida, 15 of 29 (52%) Neotoma micropus, 5 of 8 (63%) Peromyscus crinitis, 6 of 6 (100%) Peromyscus difficilis, 1 of 2 (50%) Peromyscus eremicus, 9 of 34 (26%) Sigmodon hispidis, and 2 of 3 (67%) Sigmodon ochrognathus; 4 Neotoma cinerea, 3 Neotoma devia, 3 Neotoma mexicana, 1 Peromyscus maniculatus, 1 Onychomys leucogaster, 1 Onychomys torridus, 3 Chaetodipus fallax, and 2 Chaetodipus penicillatus were negative. Although no new species was found, the following coccidians were identified from infected rodents: Eimeria albigulae from N. albigula, N. floridana, and N. micropus, Eimeria antonellii from N. albigula and N. micropus, Eimeria ladronensis from N. albigula, N. floridana, N. lepida, and N. micropus, Eimeria arizonensis and Eimeria lachrymalis from P. crinitis and P. difficilis, Eimeria lachrymalis from P. eremicus, Eimeria tuskeegensis from S. ochrognathus, and Eimeria roperi, Eimeria sigmodontis, Eimeria tuskeegensis, Eimeria webbae, and an unidentified species of Eimeria from S. hispidis. This report documents 12 new host and several distributional records for Eimeria species from murid rodents in Arizona, Texas, and Utah.     

Cross-transmission studies with Eimeria arizonensis-like oocysts (Apicomplexa) in New World rodents of the Genera baiomys, Neotoma, Onychomys, Peromyscus, and Reithrodontomys (Muridae).

Cross-transmission experiments were performed using oocysts of an Eimeria arizonensis-like coccidian from Peromyscus leucopus and Peromyscus truei, an E. arizonensis-like coccidian from Reithrodontomys fulvescens, Eimeria baiomysis and Eimeria taylori from Baiomys taylori, Eimeria albigulae from Neotoma albigula, and Eimeria onychomysis from Onychomys spp., between representatives of the above host genera. The E. arizonensis-like coccidian from R. fulvescens infected Reithrodontomys megalotis, Reithrodontomys montanus, and Peromyscus leucopus. Oocysts of E. arizonensis from P. leucopus could be transmitted to both P. leucopus and R. megalotus. Oocysts of E. baiomysis and E. taylori infected only B. taylori. Oocysts of E. arizonensis from P. truei infected P. truei but not Neotoma mexicana or Onychomys leucogaster. Oocysts of E. albigulae from N. albigula were infective for N. mexicana but not for P. truei or O. leucogaster. Oocysts of E. onychomysis from Onychomys spp. infected O. leucogaster but not N. mexicana or P. truei. These results demonstrate that Peromyscus and Reithrodontomys, genera known to be related very closely evolutionarily, are capable of sharing E. arizonensis, whereas morphologically similar coccidians (E. albigulae, E. baiomysis, and E. onychomysis) from more distantly related hosts, are probably distinct and more stenoxenous. This also is the first report of coccidians infecting species of Reithrodontomys.     

Pneumocystosis in wild small mammals from California

Cyst forms of the opportunistic fungal parasite Pneumocystis carinii were found in the lungs of 34% of the desert shrew, Notiosorex crawfordi (n = 59), 13% of the ornate shrew, Sorex ornatus (n = 55), 6% of the dusky-footed wood rat, Neotoma fuscipes (n = 16), 2.5% of the California meadow vole, Microtus californicus (n = 40), and 50% of the California pocket mouse, Chaetodipus californicus (n = 2) caught from southern California between February 1998 and February 2000. Cysts were not found in any of the harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys megalotis (n = 21), California mouse, Peromyscus californicus (n = 20), brush mouse, Peromyscus boylii (n = 7) or deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus (n = 4) examined. All infections were mild; extrapulmonary infections were not observed. Other lung parasites detected were Hepatozoon sp./spp. from M. californicus and Notiosorex crawfordi, Chrysosporium sp. (Emmonsia) from M. californicus, and a nematode from S. ornatus.     

Eimeria species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in Alaska and in Siberia, Russia

Fecal samples from arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) collected in Alaska (n = 90) and Russia (n = 46) and from red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in Alaska (n = 35) were examined for the presence of Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). Four species were recovered from arctic ground squirrels, including Eimeria callospermophili (prevalence = 18%), Eimeria cynomysis (23.5%), Eimeria lateralis (19%), and Eimeria morainensis (77%). A single species, Eimeria tamiasciuri (91%), was recovered from red squirrels. Eimerians recovered from arctic ground squirrels represent new host records, and the single species from red squirrels is a new geographic record. Alaskan arctic ground squirrel prevalence was higher for E. callospermophili (Alaska = 22% vs. Russia = 9%), E. cynomysis (34% vs. 2%), and E. lateralis (27% vs. 4%), but not E. morainensis (78% vs. 76%).     

Eimeria species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) infecting Peromyscus rodents in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico with description of a new species

Of 198 deermice (Peromyscus spp) collected from various localities in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, 106 (54%) had eimerian oocysts in their feces when examined. These included 50 of 106 (47%) Peromyscus truei, 34 of 54 (63%) Peromyscus maniculatus, 4 of 17 (24%) Peromyscus leucopus, and 18 of 21 (86%) Peromyscus eremicus. The following Eimeria were identified from infected mice: Eimeria arizonensis and Eimeria langebarteli from P. truei; E. arizonensis, Eimeria peromysci, and Eimeria delicata from P. maniculatus; E. arizonensis and Eimeria lachrymalis n. sp. from P. eremicus; and E. langebarteli from P. leucopus. Of the 106 Peromyscus found positive for Eimeria, 97 (91.5%) harbored only a single eimerian species at the time of examination. Sporulated oocysts of E. lachrymalis n. sp. were ellipsoid, 27-35 X 17-21 (30.8 +/- 1.7 X 19.1-0.9) micron, possessed a smooth wall and one polar granule, but lacked a micropyle and an oocyst residuum. Sporocysts were teardrop-shaped, 9-13 X 6-10 (10.9 +/- 0.9 X 7.9 +/- 0.5) micron, and had a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum, but no substieda body. Prepatent periods in experimental infections were 3-6 days after inoculation (DAI) for E. arizonensis (hosts: P. eremicus, P. maniculatus, P. truei); 4-5 DAI for E. peromysci (host: P. maniculatus); 6-9 DAI for E. langebarteli (hosts: P. truei, P. leucopus); and 8-10 DAI for E. lachrymalis (host: P. eremicus). Patency in these infections lasted 6-11 days for E. arizonensis, 5-10 days for E. peromysci, 14-40+ days for E. langebarteli, and 19-50+ days for E. lachrymalis. Eimeria lachrymalis appears to produce occult infections in P. eremicus that can be reactivated upon inoculation of the host with E. arizonensis.     

Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) in Pennsylvania with a description of one new species

Intestinal contents of 41 eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) from Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, were examined for the presence of Eimeria spp. Three previously named species were identified: E. lateralis (prevalence = 9%), E. ovata (3%), and E. vilasi (74%); 1 new species, Eimeria tamiensis n. sp. (74%), is described here. This report extends the geographic ranges of the named species into Pennsylvania. Sporulated oocysts of E. tamiensis n. sp. are ovoid and 18.6 x 14.5 (16-23 x 12-17) microm, with no micropyle or residuum. Sporocysts are ellipsoid and 8.6 x 5.4 (7-10 x 4-8) microm. with a Stieda body and granular residuum. Prevalences of E. lateralis and E. vilasi were similar to those reported previously. The differences in prevalences may be due to different life-history strategies of high- and low-prevalence Eimeria species.     

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.     

Phylogenetic relationships among rodent Eimeria species determined by plastid ORF470 and nuclear 18S rDNA sequences

Phylogenetic analyses for 10 rodent Eimeria species from different host genera based on plastid ORF470 and nuclear 18S rDNA sequences were done to infer the evolutionary relationships of these rodent Eimeria species and their correlation to morphology and host specificity. The phylogenies based on both data sets clearly grouped the 10 rodent Eimeria species into two major lineages, which reflect more their morphological differences than host specificity. Species in lineage A have spheroidal to subspheroidal sporulated oocysts, are similar in size (18-29 x 17-23; xbar = 22 x 20 microm), have an oocyst residuum and one-two polar granules; these include Eimeria albigulae (Neotoma), Eimeria arizonensis (Peromyscus, Reithrodontomys), Eimeria onychomysis (Onychomys) and Eimeria reedi (Perognathus). Species in lineage B, including Eimeria falciformis (Mus), Eimeria langebarteli (Reithrodontomys), Eimeria nieschulzi (Rattus), Eimeria papillata (Mus), Eimeria separata (Rattus) and Eimeria sevilletensis (Onychomys) have different shapes (ovoid, ellipsoid, elongated ellipsoid, etc.), differ greatly in size (10-27 x 9-24; xbar = 19 x 16 microm) and all lack an oocyst residuum. Thus, The oocyst residuum was the most determinant feature that differentiated the two lineages. The accession numbers of ORF470 of E. albigulae, E. arizonensis, E. falciformis, E. nieschulzi, E. onychomysis, E. papillata, E. reedi, E. separata, E. sevilletensis, E. langebarteli are AF311630-AF311639 and 18S rDNA of E. langebarteli, E. papillata, E. reedi, E. separata, E. sevilletensis are AF311640-AF311644.     

Besnoitiosis in a southern plains woodrat (Neotoma micropus) from Uvalde, Texas

Recently, Besnoitia neotomofelis was described from a southern plains woodrat (Neotoma micropus) from southern Texas. During May 2010, 1 of 55 southern plains woodrats trapped in Uvalde County, Texas, was diagnosed with besnoitiosis. Grossly, the woodrat had bilateral swellings of the cheeks, and numerous Besnoitia sp.-like cysts were observed in the tongue, facial region, musculature of the limbs, and subcutis of the dorsum and flanks. Little to no inflammation was noted around cysts. The cysts were morphologically similar to B. neotomofelis based on light and transmission electron microcopy. The sequence of the internal transcribed spacer region-1 was identical to the type isolate of B. neotomofelis. Attempts to isolate Besnoitia sp. in laboratory mice failed; however, Toxoplasma gondii was isolated in a Swiss Webster mouse. This represents the first report of besnoitiosis caused by B. neotomofelis in a southern plains woodrat and the first concurrent Besnoitia sp. and T. gondii infection in any host species.     

New Species of Eimeria (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from Malaysian Squirrels*

SYNOPSIS. In a survey of 520 squirrels of 19 species from Malaysia, 6 new species of Eimeria were found. Three are described from the subfamily Petauristinae: E. kylopetis n. sp. from the red-cheeked flying squirrel Hylopetes spadiceus; E. aeromysis n. sp. from the large black flying squirrel Aeromys tephromelas; E. malayensis n. sp. from the spotted giant flying squirrel Petaurista elegans. Three are described from the subfamily Sciurinae: E. hippuri n. sp. from the horse-tailed squirrel Sundasciurus hippurus; and E. notati and E. pahangi n. spp. from the plantain squirrel Callosciurus notatus.     

Coccidia of Malaysian Mammals: New Host Records and Descriptions of Three New Species of Eimeria*

SYNOPSIS. In a survey of parasites of wild mammals of Malaysia 3 new species of Eimeria were found. Eimeria tupaiae sp. n. is described from the common tree shrew, Tupaia glis. Its ellipsoidal to spherical, 3-layered oocysts average 20 × 19 μm. A micropyle is absent; an oocyst residuum and polar granule are present. Ellipsoidal sporocysts average 11 × 7 μm. A sporocyst residuum and Stieda body are present. Eimeria ptilocerci sp. n. is described from the pen-tail tree shrew, Ptilocercus lowii. The ellipsoidal to spherical, 2-layered oocysts average 23 × 20 μm. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent; polar granules are present. The ellipsoidal sporocysts average 13 × 7 μm. A sporocyst residuum and Stieda body are present. Eimeria muuli sp. n. is described from the pencil-tailed tree mouse, Chiropodomys gliroides. The ellipsoidal single-layered oocysts average 25 × 19 μm. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent; a polar granule is present. The ellipsoidal sporocysts average 13 × 8 μm. A sporocyst residuum and Stieda body are present. In addition, new host records are reported as follows: E. miyairii Ohira from Whitehead's rat Rattus whiteheadi and the Malaysian wood rat, R. tiomanicus; E. separata Becker & Hall from Mueller's rat, R. muelleri, the chestnut rat, R. fulvescens, and the Malaysian wood rat, R. tiomanicus; E. nieschulzi Dieben from the red spiny rat, R. surifer and the chestnut rat, R. fulvescens; and E. callosciuri Colley from the grey-bellied squirrel, Callosciurus caniceps and the black-banded squirrel, C. nigrovittatus.     

Evaluating nest supplementation as a recovery strategy for the endangered rodents of the Florida Keys

The Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) and Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola) are federally endangered subspecies endemic to the tropical hardwood hammocks of Key Largo, Florida. Woodrats are considered generalists in habitat and diet, yet a steady decline in natural stick nests and capture rates over the past several decades suggests that they are limited by the availability of nesting habitat due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The more specialized Key Largo cotton mouse appears to rely on old growth hammock, a habitat type that is rare following past land clearing. In 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service started building supplemental nest structures to restore habitat quality and connectivity for these endangered rodents, but nest use requires evaluation. We used camera traps and occupancy models to evaluate the factors influencing woodrat and cotton mouse use of the supplemental nests. We detected woodrats at 65 and cotton mice at 175 of 284 sampled nest structures, with co‐occurrence at 38 nests. Woodrat nest use followed a gradient from low nest use in the north to high nest use in the south, which might relate to the proximity of free‐ranging domestic cat (Felis catus) colonies in residential developments. Cotton mouse nest use, however, was related positively to mature hammock and related negatively to disturbed areas (e.g. scarified lands). The two species occurred independently of each other. Stick‐stacking behavior was observed at supplemental nests and, although it was correlated with detection of woodrats, it was not a strong predictor of their occurrence. We suggest that nest supplementation can be an important tool for species recovery as habitat quality continues to improve with succession.     

Novel potential reservoirs for Borrelia sp. and the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Colorado

Previous work demonstrated that Ixodes spinipalpis ticks maintained an enzootic cycle of Borrelia bissettii and the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (aoHGE) within woodrats (Neotoma mexicana) and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in northern Colorado (USA). Because I. spinipalpis is the only known vector of B. bissettii and aoHGE in Colorado, this study was designed to determine the reservoir status of other hosts of I. spinipalpis in five distinct ecological zones along the front range and foothills of Colorado. One hundred and twelve rodents of nine species were examined and 11 (10%) were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for aoHGE; 37 (33%) were culture positive for B. bissettii, and five (4%) were coinfected with both organisms based on PCR and culture. Of these, three chipmunk species (Tamias minimus, T. quadrivittatus, and T. umbrinus) were culture positive for B. bissettii, with a single T. minimus coinfected with B. bissettii and aoHGE. In addition, one golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) was positive for both B. bissettii and aoHGE. This is the first report of a golden-mantled ground squirrel harboring either B. bissettii or aoHGE and the initial observation that chipmunks may be a reservoir for B. bissettii in Colorado.     

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of Microtus spp. (Rodentia: Arvicolidae) from the United States, Mexico, and Japan, with descriptions of five new species

Beginning in July 1980, 149 voles (Microtus spp.) representing 9 species and 14 subspecies collected in Japan, Mexico and the United States were examined for coccidia; 67 (45%) had oocysts in their feces. These included 1 of 3 (33%) M. californicus sactidiegi; 0 of 1 M. longicaudus longicaudus; 0 of 1 M. l. macrurus; 48 of 111 (43%) M. mexicanus including 11 of 26 (42%) M. m. fulviventer, 1 of 2 (50%) M. m. fundatus, 13 of 31 (42%) M. m. mexicanus, 1 of 4 (25%) M. m. mogollonensis and 22 of 48 (46%) M. m. subsimus; 5 of 8 (63%) M. montanus arizonensis; 6 of 6 M. montebelli montebelli; 2 of 4 (50%) M. oregoni oregoni; 5 of 13 (38%) M. pennsylvanicus pennsylvanicus; 0 of 1 M. quasiater and 0 of 1 M. townsendii townsendii. The following coccidians were identified from infected voles: Eimeria saxei n. sp. (syn. E. wenrichi "B") from M. c. sactidiegi; E. ochrogasteri, E. saxei, E. wenrichi (syn. E. wenrichi "A"), and Eimeria sp. from M. m. fulviventer, Eimeria sp. from M. m. fundatus; E. ochrogasteri, E. saxei, Eimeria tolucadensis n. sp., E. wenrichi, and Eimeria sp. from M. m. mexicanus; E. wenrichi from M. m. mogollonensis; Eimeria coahuiliensis n. sp., E. saxei, Eimeria subsimi n. sp., E. wenrichi, Eimeria sp., and Isospora mexicanasubsimi n. sp. from M. m. subsimus; E. tamiasciuri and E. wenrichi from M. m. arizonensis; Eimeria spp. from M. m. montebelli; E. saxei and E. wenrichi from M. o. oregoni; and E. ochrogasteri and E. wenrichi from M. p. pennsylvanicus. Sporulated oocytsts of Eimeria coahuiliensis n. sp. were ellipsoid, 29.6 X 19.6 (27-34 X 18-22) micron with ovoid sporocysts 14.4 X 8.9 (13-18 X 8-10) microns. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria saxei n. sp. were subspheroid, 13.0 X 11.0 (11-14 X 10-12) micron with ovoid sporocysts 7.5 X 4.0 (6-9 X 4-5) micron. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria subsimi n. sp. were ovoid/subspheroid, 25.1 X 18.7 (22-28 X 17-21) micron with ellipsoid sporocysts 13.9 X 7.4 (13-15 X 6-8) micron. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tolucadensis n. sp. were subspheroid, 25.4 X 20.3 (23-26 X 19-23) micron with ellipsoid sporocysts 11.3 X 7.8 (10-13 X 7-9) micron. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora mexicanasubsimi n. sp. were subspheroid, 23.7 X 23.1 (21-26 X 21-26) micron with ovoid sporocysts 14.9 X 10.8 (12-16 X 10-12) micron.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Phylogenetic position of Eimeria antrozoi, a bat coccidium (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) and its relationship to morphologically similar Eimeria spp. from bats and rodents based on nuclear 18S and plastid 23S rDNA sequences.

Partial plastid 23S and nuclear 18S rDNA genes were amplified and sequenced from 2 morphologically similar Eimeria species. E. antrozoi from a bat (Antrozous pallidus) and E. arizonensis from deer mice (Peromyscus spp.), as well as some other Eimeria species from bats and rodents. The phylogenetic trees clearly separated E. antrozoi from E. arizonensis. The phylogenies based on plastid 23S rDNA data and combined data of both plastid and nuclear genes grouped 2 bat Eimeria and 3 morphologically similar Eimeria species from rodents into 2 separate clades with high bootstrap support (100%, 3 rodent Eimeria species; 72-97%, 2 bat Eimeria species), which supports E. antrozoi as a valid species. The rodent Eimeria species did not form a monophyletic group. The 2 bat Eimeria species formed a clade with the 3 morphologically similar rodent Eimeria species (E. arizonensis, E. albigulae, E. onychomysis, all from cricetid rodents) with 100% bootstrap support, whereas 2 other rodent Eimeria species (E. nieschulzi, E. falciformis, from murid rodents) formed a separate clade with 100% bootstrap support. This suggests that the 2 Eimeria species from bats might be derived from rodent Eimeria species and may have arisen as a result of lateral host transfer between rodent and bat hosts.     

Eimeria carolinensis n. sp., a Coccidium from the White-Footed Mouse, Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque)

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria carolinensis n.sp. (Sporozoa) is described from oöcysts in the feces of the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque) taken in the vicinity of Durham, North Carolina. The oöcysts are ellipsoidal to elongate ellipsoidal, 14–19.5 × 10–13 μ, mean of 17.6 × 11.3 μ. Micropyle absent. Oöcyst wall composed of 2 layers. A refractile granule present but no oöcyst residuum. Sporocysts ovoid almost filling the oöcyst. Small Stieda body present.     

On the Parasitic Protozoa of Liberia. V. Coccidia of Liberian Rodents.

SYNOPSIS. In a survey of coccidia of rodents from Harbel, Libera, the following species of Eimeria were found and described: E. musculoidei n. sp. from Mus (Leggada) musculoides; E. separata Becker & Hall, 1931 from Rattus (Dephomys) defua (new host record); E. praomysis n. sp. from Rattus (Praomys) tullbergi rostratus; E. dasymysis n. sp. from Dasymys incomptus rufulus; E. lemniscomysis n. sp. from Lemniscomys striatus striatus; and E. lophuromysis n. sp., E. sikapusii n. sp., E. liberiensis n. sp., E. harbelensis n. sp., E. africana n. sp., and E. kruidenieri n. sp. from Lophuromys sikapusi sikapusi.     

Dorisiella arizonensis n.sp., a Coccidium from the Desert Woodrat, Neotoma lepida

SUMMARY. Dorisiella arizonensis n. sp. (Sporozoa: Eimeriidae) is described from oocysts in the feces of a desert woodrat, Neotoma lepida , from Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, measure 20.8–21.8 × 20.8–22.9 μ, with a mean of 21.0 × 21.8 μ, and have a two-layered wall. They contain 1 to 3 refractile granules but no residual body. The two lemon-shaped sporocysts have a Stieda body, 8 sporozoites, and a few to many scattered, round, clear residual granules or bodies.