Eimeria and Klossia spp. (Protozoa: Sporozoa) from Wild Mammals in Borneo*

SYNOPSIS. During a survey of parasites of Sabah mammals, coccidia oocysts were found in 9 of 22 host species examined. Sporulated oocysts of Klossia sp. from Rattus whiteheadi are described. New geographic records are reported for Eimeria callosciuri, Eimeria sabani, and Eimeria tupaiae. New host and geographic records are reported for Eimeria separata from Rattus cremoriventer, for E. tupaiae and Eimeria ferruginea from Tupaia tana, for Eimeria nieschulzi from Rattus muelleri, and for E. sabani and Klossia sp. from R. whiteheadi.     

Two New Species of Eimeria from Colubrid Snakes in Iowa*

SYNOPSIS. Oocysts of Eimeria natricis sp. n. and Eimeria sipedon sp. n. were isolated from 2 Northern Water Snakes, Natrix sipedon sipedon (Linnaeus), in Iowa. Oocysts of E. natricis were elongate, slightly ovoid, averaging in size 32.3 × 17.5 μm; sporocysts averaged 15.7 × 8.2 μm. Oocysts of E. sipedon were broadly ovoid averaging in size 18.0 × 15.9 μm; sporocysts averaged 12.0 × 7.4 μm. In both species, sporocyst residua were present, but micropyles, polar granules and oocyst residua were lacking.     

Seven New Eimeria spp. (Protozoa,Coccidia) from Freshwater Fishes of Canada*

Seven new species of Eimeria are described and figured from the freshwater fishes of Ontario and Quebec, Canada. They are Eimeria catostomi sp. n. and E. fernandoae sp. n. from Catostomus commersoni (Lacépède), E. etheostomae sp. n. from Etheostoma exile (Girard), E. hoffmani sp. n. from Umbra limi (Kirtland), E. micropteri sp. n. from Micropterus dolomieui Lacépède E. pungitii sp. n. from Pungitius pungitius (Linnaeus), and E. salvelini sp. n. from Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill). Furthermore, 2 new host records and 2 new distribution records for North America are reported for E. anguillae Léger & Hollande, 1922 and E. truttae Léger & Hesse, 1919 respectively. Finally, morphologically similar oocysts found in various cyprinids are regarded as belonging to E. iroquoina Molnar & Fernando, 1974.     

Coccidia from the Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, in Northeastern Colorado and in Northern New Mexico

SYNOPSIS. Oocysts of Eimeria ambystomae Saxe, 1955, Eimeria microcapi sp. n., and Eimeria urodela sp. n. are described from the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum , collected in Colorado and New Mexico. The oocysts of E. ambystomae are ellipsoid, 29.8 × 17.3 (24–38 × 15–25) μm, and the sporocysts lanceolate, 22.6 × 5.4 (16–27 × 5–7) μm. Oocyst and sporocyst residua are present, but not a polar granule and a micropyle. The oocysts and sporocysts of E. microcapi are ellipsoid, measuring respectively 38.1 × 25.3 (35-41 × 23-26) μm and 18.1 × 7.4 (16-19 × 6–8) μm. Oocyst and sporocyst residua, a micropyle (mean 3 μm), and a distinct micropyle cap (2 μm high) are present, but not a polar granule. The oocysts of E. urodela are spheroid, 22.2 (14-26) μm, and the sporocysts lanceolate, 16.3 × 5.8 (12-19 × 4-7) μm. Oocyst and sporocyst residua are present, but a polar granule and a micropyle are absent.     

Four New Species of Eimeria and One of Tyzzeria from the Ceylon Jungle Fowl Gallus lafayettei*

One species of Tyzzeria and 4 new species of Eimeria are described from the Ceylon jungle fowl Gallus lafayettei. The sporulated oocysts of Tyzzeria galli sp. n. are 13.8 (12–15) μ m; of Eimeria lafayettei sp. n., 19.5 (19–21) X 14.2 (13.5–15) μ m; of Eimeria indentata sp. n., 30.3 (29.5–32) X 21.4 (20–22) μ m; of Eimeria symmetrica sp. n., 35 × 28.5 μ m, and of Eimeria dissanaikei sp. n., 21 (19–23) X 14 (12–16) μ m. E. indentata, E. symmetrica, and E. dissanaikei produced patent infections in domestic fowl but T. galli and E. lafayettei did not. This is the 1st record of the genus Tyzzeria from the order Galliformes.     

Coccidian Parasites from Iowa Turtles: Systematics and Prevalence*

SYNOPSIS. A survey of 22 Western Painted Turtles (WPT), Chrysemys picta belli Gray; 2 Map Turtles (MT), Graptemys geographica Le Sueur; 8 False Map Turtles (FMT), Graptemys pseudogeographica Gray; 26 Illinois Mud Turtles (IMT), Kinosternon flavescens spooneri Smith; and 5 Spiny Softshell Turtles (SST), Trionyx spiniferus Le Sueur, revealed the presence of 10 species of coccidia. The species found, the shape and average length-width dimensions (in micrometers) of their oocysts, and the respective hosts from which they were isolated were as follows: Eimeria chrysemydis Deeds & Jahn, slightly pear-shaped (27.6 × 17.0), from 5 WPTs; Eimeria delagei marginata Deeds & Jahn, markedly pearshaped (22.1 × 17.6), from 2 WPTs, 1 MT, and 3 FMTs; Eimeria graptemydos sp. n., broadly ellipsoid to subspherical (12.6 × 11.4), from 10 WPTs, 2 MTs, and 5 FMTs; Eimeria lutotestudinis sp. n., broadly ellipsoid to subspherical (11.9 × 10.8), from 4 IMTs; Eimeria mascoutini sp. n., broadly ellipsoid to subspherical with outer surface of oocyst wall mammillated (14.0 × 11.9), from 2 SSTs; Eimeria mitraria (Laveran & Mesnil), asymmetrically ellipsoid, bearing 1 or 2 conical projections at the polar end and 2 or 3 at the antipolar end (10.0 × 7.6), from 7 WPTs, 1 MT, 3 FMTs, and 4 IMTs; Eimeria pseudogeographica sp. n., narrowly ellipsoid to slightly ovoid (19.5 × 13.5), from 5 WPTs and 3 FMTs; Eimeria tetradacrutata sp. n., spherical to subspherical with outer surface of oocyst wall mammillated (19.5 × 19.2), from 1 WPT; an Eimeria sp. narrowly ellipsoid, bearing 2 conical projections at the polar end and 2 at the antipolar end (23.8 × 13.2), from 1 MT; and Mantonella hammondi sp. n., conical to narrowly ellipsoid, bearing 1 conical projection at the polar end and 2 or 3 at the antipolar end (14.3 × 7.1), from 1 IMT. The overall infection rate for the 63 turtles examined was 54.0%.     

Eimeria dalli sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from Dall Sheep Ovis dalli

Eimeria dalli sp. n. is described from fecal samples collected from Dall sheep, Ovis dalli, from the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The oocysts are spherical or subspherical with mean dimensions of 43.7 × 37.4 μm. The outer oocyst wall is rough and irregular. No micropyle, micropylar cap or residuum was observed. Sporocysts were elongate ovoid with mean dimensions of 19.0 × 10.7 μm. Stieda bodies were not discernible.     

Entodiniomorph Ciliates from the Stomach of Hippopotamus amphibius, with Descriptions of Two New Genera and Three New Species

Entodiniomorph ciliates, belonging to the family Cycloposthiidae, are described from the stomach contents of Hippopotamus amphibius. Monoposthium acanthum gen. n., sp. n., with typical cycloposthiid structure, differs from other genera in having only 1 caudalium. Parentodinium gen. n., represented by P. africanum sp. n. and P. ostrea sp. n., although superficially resembling Entodinium, is considered to be a relatively unspecialized cycloposthiid.     

Attempted Cross-Transmission of Coccidia Between Sheep and Goats and Description of Eimeria ovinoidalis sp. n.

SYNOPSIS.
Attempted infection of 2 young lambs with oocysts of Eimeria christenseni from a goat was unsuccessful. Negative results were obtained also when young kids were fed oocysts of Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae from sheep. There was no difficulty in infecting lambs with the sheep coccidium resembling E. ninakohlyakimovae nor goats with the goat coccidium E. christenseni. Oocysts from the goat measured 38.4 × 26.7 m, but were easily distinguished from Eimeria ahsata from the sheep by sporocyst size and shape, and from Eimeria ovina by oocyst size. Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae -like oocysts from sheep averaged 23.0 ×18.2 m and were morphologically indistinguishable from previously reported goat coccidia.
Since no cross infections of sheep and goats could be accomplished with oocysts of Eimeria sp. characteristic of one or the other host, I concluded that sheep coccidia previously known as E. ninakohlyakimovae are distinct from morphologically similar goat coccidia and therefore constitute a separate species. Since the name E. ninakohlyakimovae was first used for coccidia from the goat, the sheep coccidium is renamed Eimeria ovinoidalis with oocyst structure and endogenous stages similar to those previously described from the sheep.     

Coccidia of Brazilian Mammals: Eimeria Marajoensis N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) From the Anteater, Tamandua Tetradactyla (Xenarthra: Myrmecophagidae)

ABSTRACT Feces from a juvenile specimen of the anteater Tamandua tetradactyla from Ponta de Pedras, Marajó, Pará, northern Brazil, contained three different coccidial oocysts: Eimeria tamanduae Lainson, 1968; E. corticulata Lainson & Shaw, 1990; and a third species previously unrecorded and described here as Eimeria marajoensis n. sp. Oocysts of the latter parasite are spherical to subspherical, 13.9 ± 1.5 times 13.4 ± 1.4 (11.1-16.5 times 11.1-16.5) μm, shape index (length/width) 1.0 (1.0-1.2). the oocyst wall is a single, Colorless layer about 0.6-1.0 μm thick with no striations or micropyle. There is no oocyst residuum, but a single, round, oval or irregularly shaped polar granule of about 0.75-2.5 μm is consistently present. the sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 7.1 ± 0.7 ± 5.3 ± 0.6 (6.0-8.8 times 4.0-5.7) μm, shape index 1.3 (1.2-1.5), with a delicate wall bearing a minute stieda body. No sub-stieda body was visible. the sporocyst residuum consists of some 10-20 rounded granules, lying between the two slightly curved sporozoites which measure approximately 6.5 times 2.0 μm. Sporocyst refractile bodies were not discernablc.     

Systematics of the Eimerian Parasites from North American Snakes of the Family Colubridae,and their Prevalence in the Colubrids of Iowa*

A survey of 117 Iowa snakes, representing 18 species within 12 genera, revealed the presence of 6 species of Eimeria, 5 of which are described as new and 1 of which (E. zamenis) is redescribed. Those species found, the average length-width dimensions of their oocysts ( in micrometers ), and the respective hosts from which they were isolated were as follows: E. attenuata sp. n., 22.2 × 12.6, from 1 of 25 red-sided garter snakes [Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Say)] and 1 of 14 northern water snakes [Natrix sipedon sipedon (Linnaeus)]; E. iowaensis sp. n., 17.8 × 14.5, from 1 of 25 redsided garter snakes; E. hydrophis sp. n., 15.4 × 10.9, from 5 of 14 northern water snakes and 1 of 1 diamond-backed water snake [N. rhombifera rhombifera (Hallowell)]; E. helmisophis sp. n., 13.8 × 10.6, from 1 of 5 western worm snakes [Carphophis amoenus vermis (Kennicott)]; E. collanuli sp. n., 33.1 × 18.3, from 1 of 14 prairie ring-neck snakes (Diadophis punctatus arnyi Kennicott), and E. zamenis, 31.0 × 17.0, from 1 of 6 eastern yellow-bellied racers (Coluber constrictor flaviventris Say) and 1 of 1 eastern milk snake [Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum (Lacépède)]. The overall infection rate for the 117 snakes examined was 9.2%; these data are tabulated. In addition, the possible synonymy of E. lampropeltis with E. zamenis is considered, and the probable status of E. attenuata, E. hydrophis, E. zamenis, and E. annea, as parasites of multiple host species, is reviewed with regard to the phylogenetic relationships of the respective hosts from which they have been reported.     

The Structure of the Oocyst and the Excystation Process of Isospora marquardti sp. n. from the Colorado pika, Ochotona princeps

SYNOPSIS. Oocysts of Isospora marquardti sp. n. from the Colorado pika, Ochotona princeps , have spheroid oocysts, 30.5 (23–36) μm in diameter, and ovoid sporocysts, measuring 19.3 × 12.0 (17–22 × 10–14) μm. A polar body, 2 × 4 μm, a spheroid sporocyst residuum (8.3 μm in diameter), a Stieda body, and a distinct substiedal body (3 × 3 μm) are present. A micropyle and an oocyst residuum are absent. Excysted sporozoites, averaging 3.0 × 18.5 (2–4 × 15–20) μm, contain 2 refractile globules, 1 on each side of the nucleus with a prominent nucleolus.
The sporozoite excystation process using a trypsin-sodium taurocholate fluid is described.     

Eimeria procyonis sp. n., an Isospora sp., and a Redescription of E. nuttalli Yakimoff and Matikaschwili, 1932 (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the American Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

SYNOPSIS. Thirty-two of 48 raccoons examined were infected with a previously undescribed species of Eimeria which is herein named E. procyonis. Of the 32 infected animals, 10 also harbored E. nuttalli and 1 had Isospora sp. oocysts.
The ellipsoid to ovoid oocysts of E. procyonis measured 23.4 × 18.0 (16–29 × 13–24) μm; its sporocysts measured 12.1 × 9.3 (11.5–15 × 7–10) μm, each containing a slightly flattened substiedal body. The sporocyst residuum consisted of numerous scattered granules each ∼1 μm in diameter. The oocyst wall was double-layered. The outer layer appeared rough and pitted, measuring 1.5 μm, except at the micropyle where it was 1 μm thick.
The oocysts of the Isospora sp. measured 16.8 × 13.7 (16–18.5 × 12.5–15.5) μm. The wall consisted of a single layer ∼0.5 μm thick. The sporocysts measured 11.2 × 9.1 (9.5–11.5 × 8–10) μm, and each contained 4 elongate sporozoites. The oocysts of E. nuttalli measured 17.5 × 13.6 (12-21 × 11-15) μm, with a smooth single-layered wall approximately 0.7 μm thick. The sporocysts measured 12.2 × 7.1 (9-13 × 5.5–11) μm. Each sporocyst had a thin, dark, Stieda body and the sporocyst residuum consisted of many fine granules.     

Descriptions of Three New Longidorus Species from Slovakia (Nemata: Longidoridae)

Three new Longidorus species from Slovakia are described. Longidorus carpathicus n. sp. most closely resembles Longidorus silvae but differs by having a longer odontostyle, odontophore, and total stylet; smaller a and c ratios; and longer distance to the guide ring. This new species also resembles L. picenus, L. macrosoma, and L. major but differs by having a narrower lip width. It further differs from L. picenus by having a longer odontostyle and smaller c ratio, and by lacking males; from L. macrosoma by having a longer odontostyle, smaller c ratio, by lacking males, and a more pronounced J1 tail peg; and from L. major by having a shorter body length, longer odontostyle, longer odontophore, and longer J1 tail peg. Longidorus piceicola n. sp. most closely resembles L. eridanicus, from which it differs by having a greater lip width, longer tail, smaller c ratio, larger c'' ratio, shorter hyaline tail length, and a conically rounded vs. hemispherical tail. This new species differs from L. cylindricaudatus by having a larger lip width, longer odontostyle and odontophore, and a greater distance to the guide ring; from L. nevesi by having a shorter body length, longer odontostyle, larger c'' ratio, and shorter hyaline tail length. Longidorus juglansicola n. sp. most closely resembles L. athesinus but differs by its longer body, wider lips, and larger a and c ratios. It closely resembles L. vineacola but differs by its shorter body length, smaller c ratio, and an almost parallel lip outline vs. an expanded lip outline; from L. lusitanicus by a longer odontophore and tail, and an almost parallel lip outline vs. an expanded lip outline.     

Descriptions of Three New Longidorus Species from Alaska (Nematoda: Longidoridae)

Three new Longidorus species, L. alaskaensis n. sp., L. paralaskaensis n. sp., and L. bernardi n. sp., are described from specimens collected near Fairbanks, Alaska. Longidorus alaskaensis differs from all species of Longidorus by the presence of a caecum-like structure situated at the reflex of the oviduct. Longidorus paralaskaensis most closely resembles L. alaskaensis n. sp., L. crassus Thorne, L. picenus Roca, Lamberti &Agostinelli, and L. silvae Roca, differing from the last three of these species by having a parallel vs. a tapered lip region, and from all four by having a more narrowly rounded tail tip. Longidorus paralaskaensis differs from L. alaskaensis by having a longer odontostyle (119-128 vs. 110-118 μm) and by lacking the caecum-like structure found at the reflex of the oviduct. Longidorus bernardi n. sp. most closely resembles L. mirus Khan, Chawla &Seshadri, from which it differs by having a longer tail with a more acutely rounded tip, a longer body length (3.5-4.6 vs. 3.0-3.6 μm), and a larger c'' value (1.6-1.8 vs. 1.3-1.6). Longidorus bernardi differs from L. sylphus Thorne, L. africanus Merny, L. auratus Jacobs &Heyns, and L. conicaudatus Khan by having a slightly expanded lip region vs. a lip region with parallel body walls and a more finely rounded tail tip.     

Protosporangium: a New Genus of Protostelids*

Protosporangium is described as a new genus of the mycetozoan order Protosteliida, with 3 new species: P. bisporum, P. fragile , and P. articulatum . The genus is characterized by minute, mostly 2-4-spored sporangia borne on long, slender, flexuous stalks. The spores produce flagellate cells (typically 8 per sporangium) during germination. The trophic stage is holozoic and uninucleate to plurinucleate but never reticulate. Plurinucleate protoplasts segment into uninucleate (sometimes binucleate) prespore cells that culminate to form sporocarps in the manner characteristic of protostelids.     

Exogenous Stages of Isospora serini (Aragão) and Isospora canaria sp. n. in the canary (serinus canarius Linnaeus)*

Exogenous stages of Isospora serini (Aragão) and Isospora canaria sp. n. from the canary (Serinus canarius Linnaeus) are described. Oocysts of I. serini are spheroid and average 19.2 × 20.1 μ m, while those of I. canaria are larger, more ellipsoid, and average 21.8 × 24.6 μ m. No oocyst residuum is present and the oocyst walls of both species are colorless, transparent, and single layered. Sporocysts average 9.4 × 15.2 μ m for I. serini and 11.5 × 18.1 μ m for I. canaria. The I. canaria sporocyst has a substiedal body, but none was found in I. serini sporocysts. Both species have a spherical sporocyst residuum; this was obscured in the I. serini sporocyst by scattered granules. Living sporozoites of I. canaria average 3.6 × 16.9 μ m and have 1 to 3 refractile globules; those of I. serini have 2 globules and average 2.8 × 12.6 μ m. A disseminated infection of the mononuclear phagocytes results from administration of I. serini while I. canaria oocysts give rise to a typical coccidian infection restricted to the intestinal epithelium. Asexual stages of I. serini in macrophages are indistinguishable from parasites previously called avian Toxoplasma, Atoxoplasma, and Lankesterella.     

Coccidian Parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of Nerodia spp. (Serpentes: Colubridae), with a Description of a New Species of Eimeria

Eimeria conanli n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from intestinal contents and feces of Nerodia erythrogaster transversa and N harteri harteri from northcentral Texas. Oocysts of the new species are ellipsoid in shape. 17.9 × 13.0(15–21 × 12–15) μm, with a smooth, thin, single-layered wall; shape index 1.4 (1.2–1.5). One to several (usually 2) polar granule(s) and an oocyst residuum are present, but a micropyie is absent. Sporocysts are elongate, 12.9 × 5.2 (13–15 × 5–6) -m, apparently without a true Stieda body structure. Each sporoeyst contains an ellipsoid residuum, 3.9 × 3.2 (3–6 × 2–4) μm, and elongate sporozoites, 11.4 × 2.5 (10–14 × 2–3) μm in situ, each with a spherical or subspherical anterior refractile body and spherical to ellipsoid posterior refractile body. In addition to the new species, oocysts of 4 previously described eimerians from colubrid snakes were found in these hosts.     

A New Family of Entodiniomorph Protozoa from the Marsupial Forestomach, with Descriptions of a New Genus and Five New Species

ABSTRACT. A unique group of entodiniomorph protozoa was found in forestomach contents from quokka ( Setonix brachyurus ), western grey kangaroo ( Macropus fuliginosus ), red kangaroo ( Macropus rufus ) and euro ( Macropus robustus erubescens ). A new genus, Macropodinium n.g., containing five new species, is described. Three species are described from forestomach contents of the quokka: Macropodinium baldense n. sp., Macropodinium moiri n. sp. and Macropodinium setonixum n. sp. A single species, Macropodinium ennuensis n. sp., is described from the red kangaroo and euro. The last species, Macropodinium yalanbense n. sp., is described in forestomach contents from the western grey kangaroo. At least three distinct features in the new genus are incompatible with any of the described families in the order Entodiniomorphida. On this basis, the new family Macropodiniidae has been created.