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.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Carlia spp. (Sauria: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from rainbow skinks, Carlia ailanpalai Zug and Carlia eothen Zug is described from specimens collected in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Oöcysts of Eimeria zugi n. sp. from one of one (100%) C. eothen are ellipsoidal to cylindroidal, with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall, measure 25.1 × 15.5 μm and have a length/width ratio of 1.6. The micropyle and the oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is present. The sporocysts are ovoidal to ellipsoidal and 10.3 × 7.1 μm in size and do not contain Stieda, sub-Stieda or para-Stieda bodies; and the sporocyst residuum is composed of a compact mass of large globules. The sporozoites are elongate, 12.8 × 2.9 μm in size, and contain anterior and posterior refractile bodies with a nucleus between them. This is the ninth species of coccidium described from skinks from PNG, and the new species described herein is apparently endemic to the skink genus Carlia (Gray).     

<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.     

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.     

<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 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.     

Studies on protozoan parasites of Australian fishes. Notes on coccidian parasites with description of three new species

In 1990 several species of the generaEimeria andGoussia were found during the examination of some marine and freshwater fishes in New South Wales for protozoan parasites. In freshwater hosts,Goussia carpelli (Léger & Stankovitch, 1921) was found inCarassius auratus from a fish farm andEimeria anguillae Léger & Hollande, 1922 inAnguilla australis from feral eels. A new species,G. piekarskii n. sp., is described from the small intestine of feralGambusia holbrooki. Spherical or subspherical oöcysts average 9.2 μm in diameter, the average size of sporocysts being 7.6 × 4.2 μm. From coastal marine fishes,Goussia thelohani labbé, 1896 was identified in the liver parenchyma ofAcanthopagrus australis andRhabdosargus sarda. G. cruciata (Thélohan, 1892) Labbé, 1896 was found in the liver parenchyma ofPseudocaranx dentex. Both species were found for the first time outside the European area and in completely different hosts.Eimeria sillaginis Molnár & Rohde, 1988 is redescribed from the intestine ofSillago ciliata, and includes a new structure on its sporocyst wall.E. nesowai n. sp. is described from the pyloric caeca and intestine ofGerres ovatus. Subspherical oöcysts average 12.9 μm in diameter, the average size of sporocysts being 7 × 4.2 μm.E. rohdei n. sp. was found to infect the pyloric caeca ofMonacanthus chinensis. The average sizes of oöcysts and sporocysts are 7.5 μm diameter and 5.1 × 3 μm, respectively.     

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.     

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.     

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 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.     

New species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the domesticated goat Capra hircus in New Zealand

Three new species of the genus Eimeria Schneider, 1875 are described from the faeces of domesticated goats in New Zealand. Oöcysts of E. capralis n. sp. are ellipsoidal, 29.2 × 19.7 (25–34 × 17–24) μm, with a distinct micropylar cap. The sporocysts are broadly ovoid, the Stieda body is present and the sporocyst residuum consists of many scattered granules. Sporozoites lie lengthwise head to tail in the sporocyst. Oöcysts of E. masseyensis n. sp. are broadly ellipsoid to ovoid, 22.3 × 17.4 (18–25 × 15–19) μm, with a distinct micropylar cap. The polar granules are shattered into fine granules, the sporocysts are elongate ovoid and the Stieda body is present. Oöcysts of E. charlestoni n. sp. are ellipsoidal, 22.9 × 17.4 (20–25 × 16–19) μm, with no micropylar cap. Its oöcysts are distinctive, with elongate sporocysts containing very prominent refractile bodies.     

Eimeria atheridis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), a new coccidium from the western bush viper Atheris chlorechis (Pel, 1851) from tropical Africa

Coprological examination of nine bush vipers Atheris chlorechis imported from Ghana revealed the presence of a new coccidian species belonging to Eimeria Schneider, 1875. Thin walled oöcysts of Eimeria atheridisn. sp. are spherical to slightly subspherical, 22.8 (19–26) × 22.5 (19–25) μm, without micropyle, polar granule and oöcyst residuum. Sporocysts are elongately ellipsoidal, 17.1 (15–19) × 7.5 (6–8) μm, with a dome like, relatively flat Stieda body. Sporozoites possess two refractile bodies and distinct transversal striation. Based on the presence of a Stieda body the species described herein clearly belongs to the Eimeria (sensu stricto).     

Description of the oöcysts of theree new species ofEimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from geckoes (Auria: Gekkonidae)

Three new species ofEimeria are described from the faeces of geckoes. Oöcysts ofEimeria vittati n. sp. fromGekko vittatus are elongate-ellipsoid 34.3 × 16.9 (32.5–36.5 × 16.5–17.5) μm; shape index (mean length/mean width) 2.03. Its sporocysts are ovoid 11.0 × 6.5 (10–12.5 × 5–7.5) μ; shape index 1.7. Oöcysts ofE. simonkingi n. sp. were found inG. vitttus and two subspecies ofPhelsuma lineata, and are spherical to subspherical 20.5 × 19.4 (19.5–22 × 17.5–21) μm; shape index 1.06. Its sporocysts are ellipsoidal 9.9 × 5.9 (8–11.5 × 5.5–7) shape index 1.7. Oöcysts ofE. tokayae n. sp. fromG. gecko were spherical or subspherical, 18.3 × 18.2 (17–21 × 13–20.5) μm; shape index 1.01. Its sporocysts are ellipsoidal 9.2 × 5.9 (8–11.5 × 5.5–7) All of the new species ofEimeria from gekkonid lizards described since 1986 are listed in a reference table, and details of their oöcyst and sporocyst measurements and their morphology are given.     

A survey of coccidian infections of freshwater fishes of Peninsular Malaysia,with descriptions of three species of Goussia Labbé, 1896 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae)

Ninety-five specimens of 14 freshwater fish species from small streams in the Kuala Terengganu district and the Lake Kenyir Reservoir, Malaysia, were surveyed for coccidian infections. Six fish species proved to be infected with apicomplexans belonging to the genus Goussia. In all of these fishes Goussia species were found in unsporulated and semisporulated stages. Oöcysts of four species inhabiting the intestinal epithelium became sporulated in tap-water within 24 hours. In two fish species sporulation failed and only unsporulated oöcysts were recorded in the intestine. Three of the intestinal species finishing sporulation proved to be new to science and were described as Goussia malayensis n. sp., G. bettae n. sp. and G. pogonognathi n. sp. from Apocheilus panchax, Betta splendens and Hemirhamphodon pogonognatus, respectively. The fourth species, found in Trichogaster pectoralis, was identified as G. trichogasteri Székely &; Molnár, 1992, a species known from aquarium-cultured T. trichopterus.