Morphometeric criteria and partial sequence of the 18S rRNA gene of Ceratomyxa sultani n. sp. from the gallbladder of Upeneus margarethae in the Arabian Gulf,with a note on its seasonal prevalence

This paper describes a new coelozoic myxosporean parasite named Ceratomyxa sultani n. sp. isolated from the gallbladder of Upeneus margarethae sourced from the Arabian Gulf off Saudi Arabia. Of 104 U. margarethae specimens examined, 27 (26%) were infected, with the highest prevalence in winter and lowest in autumn. The pseudoplasmodia were disporous and irregularly elliptical in shape, with an average size of 22?×?17?μm. Mature spores were mostly elliptical with symmetrical valves and equal spherical polar capsules. Spores were 9?µm in length and 25?µm in thickness, while polar capsules were 4?µm wide with four filament coils. The paper further provides a morphological comparison with closely related Ceratomyxa spp. together with phylogenetic analysis based on the partial 18S rRNA sequence, which revealed that C. sultani n. sp. clustered within a robust clade of Ceratomyxa species from the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea or nearby geographic regions.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora lopesi</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the eastern white-throated spadebill <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platyrinchus mystaceus</Emphasis> Vieillot (Passeriformes: Tyranni: Tyrannidae) in South America

A species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) considered as new to science is described and characterised molecularly from the eastern white-throated spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus Vieillot in the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, southeastern Brazil. Isospora lopesi n. sp. has oöcysts that are subspheroidal to ovoidal, 18–24 × 18–22 (20.6 × 19.7) µm, with smooth, bilayered wall, c.1.5 μm thick. Micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but one polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12–16 × 8–11 (14.4 × 8.6) µm. The Stieda body is flattened to half-moon-shaped and sub-Stieda body is rounded. Sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of numerous spherules of different sizes. Sporozoites are vermiform with anterior and posterior refractile bodies and nucleus. Molecular analysis was conducted at the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. This new isolate exhibited similarity greater than 98% with Isospora spp. isolates from spectacled warblers Sylvia conspicillata Temminck, 1820. This is the fourth isosporoid coccidian described from New World tyrannid birds, but is the first to have a complementary molecular characterisation.     

Three new coccidians (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclospora</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria</Emphasis>) from eastern moles, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scalopus aquaticus</Emphasis> (Linnaeus) (Mammalia: Soricomorpha: Talpidae) from Arkansas,USA

Three new species of coccidians (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from eastern moles, Scalopus aquaticus (Linnaeus) from Arkansas. Oöcysts of Cyclospora duszynskii n. sp. are subspheroidal with a smooth bi-layered wall, measure 11.4 × 10.0 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a single polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 7.2 × 5.4 µm, L/W 1.3; an indistinct Stieda body is present, but the sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent and the sporocyst residuum is composed of medium to large granules of different sizes along the edge of the sporocyst. Oöcysts of Cyclospora yatesi n. sp. are subspheroidal to ovoidal with an ornate outer wall, measure 17.0 × 15.2 µm, L/W 1.1; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a single polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 9.7 × 7.3 µm, L/W 1.3; an indistinct Stieda body is present, but sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent and the sporocyst residuum is composed of medium to large granules of different sizes along the edge of the sporocyst. Oöcysts of Eimeria paulettefordae n. sp. are ovoidal to ellipsoidal with an ornate outer wall, measure 30.0 × 25.4 µm, L/W 1.2; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a single polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 12.6 × 9.2 µm, L/W 1.4; a button-like Stieda body is present, but sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent and the sporocyst residuum is composed of medium to large granules of different sizes along the edge of the sporocyst. These are the first coccidians described from Arkansas populations of S. aquaticus. In addition, a summary is provided on the cyclosporans and eimerians from North American talpids.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caryospora</Emphasis> Léger, 1904 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Guanabara spotted night snake <Emphasis Type="Italic">Siphlophis pulcher</Emphasis> (Raddi) (Reptilia: Dipsadidae) in the Atlantic Forest,Brazil

A new coccidian species of the genus Caryospora Léger, 1904 (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) is described based on material from the Guanabara spotted night snake Siphlophis pulcher (Raddi) (Reptilia: Dipsadidae) in a coastal area of the Atlantic Forest in Ilha Grande Island, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Caryospora ceadsensis n. sp. possesses spheroidal to slightly subspheroidal oöcysts measuring 17–24 × 17–24 (22.1 × 22.0) µm, with a c.1.3 µm thick bi-layered wall (inner layer smooth, outer layer slightly striated), length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.0–1.1 (1.0) and a highly refractive polar granule. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 11–17 × 10–13 (14.7 × 11.2) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.0–1.5 (1.3), with a nipple-like Stieda body (1.1 µm high and 2.9 µm wide) and a large, bubble-shaped sub-Stieda body 1.7 µm high and 3.8 µm wide (1.0–2.0 × 3.0–4.5 µm). Sporocyst residuum composed of granules of differing sizes. Sporozoites with striations. This is the sixth record of a species of Caryospora in snakes of the family Dipsadidae in Brazil.     

Description of the oöcysts of Eimeria beccari n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Varanus prasinus beccari (Reptilia: Varanidae)

Eimeria beccari n. sp. is described from the faecal contents of Varanus prasinus beccari (Reptilia: Varanidae), originally from the Aru Islands northwest of New Guinea. Oöcysts are cylindroid, 33.7 × 19.1 (29–36 × 18–21) µm, often with one end narrowing; shape index (length/width) 1.76 (1.6–1.9). A micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent but a polar granule is present in most oöcysts. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, 12.0 × 7.7 (11–13.5 × 7–8) µm; shape index 1.56 (1.5–1.7). Stieda and substieda bodies are absent. Sporozoites are elongate, 10.4 × 2.8 (9–12 × 2.5–3) µm, and contain a posterior refractile body.     

Synthesis,in-vitro antiprotozoal activity and molecular docking study of isothiocyanate derivatives

Novel isothiocyanate derivatives were synthesized starting from noscapine, bile acids, amino acids, and some aromatic compounds. Antiparasitic activities of the synthesized derivatives were tested against four unicellular protozoa, i.e., Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum. Interestingly, seven isothiocyanate analogues displayed promising antiparasitic activity against Leishmania donovani with IC₅₀ values between 0.4 and 1.0 µM and selectivity index (SI) ranged from 7.8 to 18.4, comparable to the standard drug miltefosine (IC₅₀ = 0.7 μM). Compound 7h demonstrated the best antileishmanial activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.4 µM. Seven products exhibited inhibition activity against T. brucei rhodesiense with IC₅₀s below 2.0 μM and SI between 2.7 and 29.3. Four primary amine derivatives of noscapine and five isothiocyanate derivatives exhibited antiplasmodial activity with IC₅₀s in the range of 1.1–2.7 µM and SI values between 1.1 and 14.5. The isothiocyanate derivative 7c showed against T. cruzi with an IC₅₀ value of 1.9 µM and SI 4. Molecular docking and ADMET studies were performed to investigate the interaction between active ligands and T. brucei trypanothione reductase active site. The docking studies showed significant binding affinity of noscapine derivatives to enzyme active site and good compatibility with experimental data.     

The malarial parasites of Anolis species (Sauria: Iguanidae) in Panama

Lizards of the iguanid genus Anolis in Panama are parasitized by four species of Plasmodium. P.floridense occurs in A. limifrons, A. biporcatus, A. pentaprion and A. frenatus. The number of nuclei in mature schizonts is influenced by host species as is gametocyte shape but not gametocyte size. P. tropiduri parasitizes A. limifrons, A. pentaprion, A. biporcatus, A. frenatus, A. lionotus and A. poecilopus. The number of nuclei in schizonts varies according to host and type of blood cell parasitized. Gametocyte size varies slightly by host but shape remains relatively constant. Position of the parasite in the host cell may be affected by host species. Both schizonts and gametocytes are produced in white cells of all host species studied. P. balli occurs in A. limifrons, A. lionotus and A. poecilopus. Schizont and gametocyte size and shape are affected by host and blood cell type, with the parasite exhibiting different preferences for various blood cells in each host. P. minasense parasitizes A. limifrons, A. frenatus and A. capito, but its diagnosis in the last species may not be correct as gametocyte size and distribution of pigment differ considerably from other hosts. The mean number of nuclei in schizonts is not greatly affected by the host species. P. floridense is postulated to be of middle American origin in the genus Anolis, and to have reached Florida through the Caribbean.     

Aulacotheca collicola n.sp. (medullosaceae) from the early Pennsylvanian of the Illinois basin

Compressed synangia referable to the medullosan pollen organ genus Aulacotheca Halle have been discovered in Early Pennsylvanian sediments from Rock Island County, Illinois, U.S.A. Specimens were recovered from localized shales containing floral elements suggesting an upland environment. Based on synangial size, morphology, sporangial number, and prepollen type, two distinct forms, A. collicola n.sp. and Aulacotheca sp., are recognized. Synangia of A. collicola are 11–17 × 2.5 – 4.0 mm and have four to six sporangia. Free sporangial tips are acutely pointed and dehiscence is through a longitudinal slit to the inside of the synangium. Prepollen averages 181 × 129 μm and has a monolete suture with median deflection. Sexine on proximal and distal surfaces shows narrow, closely spaced, anastomosing inpockets; distal and lateral walls are separated by a deep, encircling fold. Synangia of Aulacotheca sp. are 21–33 × 3.8 – 5.5 mm and have 4–6 sporangia. Distally, free sporangial tips have a narrow extension, giving a mucronate appearance. Features of these species suggest that greater morphological diversity in synangial and pollen structure occurs in Aulacotheca and the medullosan pteridosperms than previously recognized.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of a novel eimerian species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Temminck, 1824 (Pelecaniformes: Pelecanidae) in Western Australia

A new Eimeria Schneider, 1875 species is described from an Australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Temminck, 1824 in Western Australia. Sporulated oocysts (n = 23) subspheroidal, 33–35 × 31–33 (34.1 × 32.0) μm; length/width (L/W) ratio 1.0–1.1 (1.07). Wall bi-layered, 1.2–1.5 (1.4) μm thick, outer layer smooth, c.2/3 of total thickness. Micropyle absent, but 2 or 3 polar granules surrounded by a thin membrane, apparently residual, are present. Sporocysts (n = 23) elongate ellipsoidal or capsule shaped, 19–20 × 5–6 (19.5 × 5.6) μm; L/W ratio 3.4–3.8 (3.51). Stieda body vestigial and barely discernible, 0.5 × 1.0 μm; sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies absent; sporocyst residuum present, composed of a few dense spherules dispersed among the sporozoites. Sporozoites with robust anterior and posterior refractile bodies and centrally located nucleus. Molecular analysis was conducted at three loci; the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA genes and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. At the 18S locus, the new isolate shared 98.6% genetic similarity with Eimeria fulva Farr, 1953 (KP789172), which was identified from a goose in China. At the 28S locus, the new isolate shared the highest similarity of 96.2% with Eimeria hermani Farr, 1953 (MW775031) identified from a whooper-swan (Cygnus cygnus (Linnaeus, 1758)) in China. At the COI gene locus, this new isolate was most closely related to Isospora sp. isolate COI-178 and Eimeria tiliquae [25,26], presented 96.5% and 96.2% genetic similarity, respectively. Based on the morphological and molecular data, this isolate is a new species of coccidian parasite, which is named Eimeria briceae n. sp.     

Treerunners,cryptic lizards of the Plica plica group (Squamata,Sauria, Tropiduridae) of?northern?South?America

The arboreal, Neotropical lizard Plica plica (Linnaeus, 1758) has been long considered a widespread species with a distribution east of the Andes. A preliminary examination of 101 specimens from about 28 locations mostly north of the Amazon suggests that Plica plica is a cryptic species complex with taxa that can be distinguished on the basis of the number of scale rows at mid-body; the arrangement, shape and ornamentation of scales on the snout; the number of lamellae on the fourth toe; the number of subocular plates; as well as other commonly used external morphological traits. The allopatric species discussed here are concordant with northern South American geography. Plica plica (Linnaeus, 1758) is associated with the Guiana Shield (Suriname, Guyana and Venezuela). A second species, P. caribeana sp. n. is associated with the Caribbean Coastal Range of Venezuela including Trinidad and Tobago. A third, distinctive species, P. rayi sp. n. is associated with the middle Orinoco at the eastern edge of the Guiana Shield. Two other species, P. kathleenae sp. n. and P. medemi sp. n., each based upon a single specimen, one from the Sierra Acarai Mountains of Guyana, and the other from southern Meta, Colombia are described. In addition to morphological analyses, we sequenced 12S and 16S rDNA gene fragments from one Plica plica from Trinidad to assess its relationship and taxonomy to other mainland Plica cf. plica. The results suggest Plica caribeana sp. n. likely diverged prior to the separation of Trinidad from northern Venezuela. Isolation in the Caribbean Coastal Range during its rapid uplift in the late Miocene, combined with a marine incursion into northern Venezuela may have contributed to their genetic divergence from other populations.     

<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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cystoisospora</Emphasis> Frenkel, 1977 (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oecomys mamorae</Emphasis> Thomas (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in the Brazilian Pantanal

Despite the great diversity of coccidians, to our knowledge, no coccidian infections have been described in Oecomys spp. In this context, we examined Oecomys mamorae Thomas (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from the Brazilian Pantanal for infections with enteric coccidia. Nine individuals were sampled, and one was found to be infected. The oöcysts were recovered through centrifugal flotation in sugar solution. Using morphological and morphometric features, we described a new species of Cystoisospora Frenkel, 1977. Sporulated oöcysts were ovoidal 20.0–29.1 × 16.4–23.2 (26.7 × 21.2) µm and contained two sporocysts, 12.9–19.1 × 9.4–13.9 (16.4 × 12.4) µm, each with four banana-shaped sporozoites. Polar granule and oöcyst residuum were both absent. We documented the developmental forms in the small intestine and described the histopathological lesions in the enteric tract. Our results indicate that the prevalence of Cystoisospora mamorae n. sp. in O. mamorae is low, and tissue damage in the enteric tract is mild, even in the presence of coccidian developmental stages.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora</Emphasis> Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the twist-necked turtle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platemys platycephala</Emphasis> (Schneider) (Testudines: Chelidae) in Brazil

A new coccidian species of the genus Isospora Schneider 1881 (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) is reported from a single specimen of chelid turtle, Platemys platycephala (Schneider, 1792), obtained in a flooded area of the Amazonian municipality of Altamira, in Pará State, northern Brazil. The oöcysts of Isospora platemysi n. sp. are subspheroidal, 19.0–24.0 × 22.5–18.5 (22.6 × 20.8) µm in size [length/width ratio 1.0–1.1 (1.1)], with a colourless wall, 1.0–1.9 (1.4) wide, with two smooth layers; polar granule is present, oöcyst residuum and micropyle are both absent. The sporocyst is ovoidal, 10.0–12.1 × 8.0–10.0 (11.0 × 9.1) µm [length/width ratio 1.1–1.3 (1.2), with a knob-like Stieda body. Sub-Stieda body is present, rounded irregular-trapezoidal; para-Stieda body is absent. Sporocyst residuum is dispersed and composed of granules of differing sizes. This is only the fifth record of Isospora in chelonians, and the first report of a coccidian parasite of the genus Platemys.