Sarcocystis nesbitti n. sp. from the Rhesus Monkey

SYNOPSIS. Sarcocystis nesbitti n. sp. was found in the skeletal muscles of 2 of 44 Macaca mulatta monkeys. The cysts were 100-1100 by 165 μ with a wall 1.2-1.6 μ wide and contained trophozoites 7–9 by 2–3 μ. Sarcocystis kortei was found in 1 of the rhesus monkeys, 1 Erythrocebus patas and 1 Cercopithecus mitis. Its cysts were 400-800 by 100-150 μ, with a wall 5-6 μ thick and trophozoites 9-14 by 3-4 μ.     

The Occurrence of Sarcocystis sp. in the Dog

SYNOPSIS. Cysts of Sarcocystis sp. are described from a dog. They are spherical to elongate, 110–250 μ in diameter, and contain numerous crescentic trophozoites measuring 4–5 × 1.5 μ. No septa were seen. This is the first report of Sarcocystis from a domestic carnivore.     

Besnoitia darlingi (Brumpt, 1913) in Panama

SYNOPSIS. Besnoitia darlingi (Brumpt, 1913) Mandour, 1965 has been rediscovered in the common opossum Didelphis marsupialis in the Republic of Panama. A strain (D3) has been established in laboratory white mice. Proliferative crescents of the D3 strain are 6.1 (range 6.0-9.0) by 2.1 (range 1.7-4.0).
Mouse-adapted B. darlingi produced acute, fatal infections in white mice, hamsters, 14 marmosets ( Saguinus geoffroyi ), 2 squirrels ( Sciurus variegatoides and S. granatensis ), a woolly opossum ( Caluromys derbianus ) and a four-eyed opossum ( Philander opossum ) It probably produced chronic infections (cysts) in 2 wild-caughtopossums ( Didelphis marsupialis ) and one lizard ( Ameiva ameiva ). Animals in which induced infection could not be found after inoculation with trophozoites of mouse-adapted B. darlingi were: 2 adult and 2 new-born guinea pigs, laboratory rats, 1 night monkey ( Aotus trivirgatus ), 2 rhesus monkeys ( Macacca mulatta ), one iguana ( Iguaanaiguana ) and 2 baby caimans ( Caiman sclerops ).     

Sarcocystis dubeyella n. sp. and Sarcocystis phacochoeri n. sp. (Protozoa: Sarcocystidae) from the Warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) in South Africa

ABSTRACT Sarcocystis dubeyella n. sp. and S. phacochoeri n. sp. from muscle fibers of the skeletal musculature of two warthogs in South Africa are described by light and and electron microscopy. Sarcocystis dubeyella sarcocysts are macroscopic (up to 12 mm long and 1 mm wide), with a parasite-induced encapsulation of the host muscle fiber in which the plasma membrane of the latter remained unaltered. The sarcocyst wall is characterized by evenly arranged, irregularly semicircular or rectangular villar protrusions (5.0 T. 2.8-11.0 μm) with indented margins and no specific content. Sarcocystis phacochoeri formed filiform microcysts (up to 4 mm long and 0.13 mm wide). Its cyst wall is provided with tightly packed, molarlike villar protrusions (1.6-3.3 T. 1.7-3.3 μm), with smooth margins, hollow on one side, and with longitudinal condensations of the fine granular matrix at various locations in the interior.     

Aggregata dobelli N. Sp. and Aggregata millerorum N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Aggregatidae) from Two Species of Octopus (Mollusca: Octopodidae) from the Eastern North Pacific Ocean

ABSTRACT. Gamogony and sporogony of two new species of Aggregata (Apicomplexa: Aggregatidae) commonly were observed during histopathological examination of the digestive tracts of octopuses from the National Aquarium in Baltimore. North Pacific giant octopus, Octopus dofleini martini Pickford 1964, from British Columbia and Washington state were infected with Aggregata dobelli n. sp. Sporocysts were smooth-surfaced, dark-staining, subspherical to subovoid, typically 18–31 μ m long by 15–27 μ m wide, and contained 9–22 sporozoites, 18–23 μ m long. California two-spotted octopus, Octopus bimaculoides Pickford and McConnaughey 1949, from California were infected with Aggregata millerorum n. sp. Sporocysts were smooth-surfaced, dark-staining, and subspherical to subovoid, 12–20 μ m long by 11–17 μ m wide, and contained 8–10 sporozoites, 18–31 μ m long. Both species infected the noncuticularized spiral caecum and intestine; A. millerorum n. sp. also infected the cuticularized esophagus and crop. Both parasites were present in the submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. Our observations of Aggregata infections in cuticularized regions of the gut and in the muscularis and serosa appear to be novel. Associated pathologic features included hypertrophy of invaded cells, edema, inflammation, and ulceration.     

Myxosoma microspora n. sp. (Myxosporidia: Protozoa) parasitic in the gills of Mugil cephalus L.

A new histozoic species of myxosporidian, Myxosoma microspora n.sp., infecting the gill filaments of Mugil cephalus is described. Cysts measuring 0.5–1.0 mm in diameter were found attached to the gill filaments. Spherical or slightly oval, spores 4.8–5.2 μm in diameter, were present and possessed a thin outer mucous envelope which appeared as small conical protuberances at the ends of the equatorial axis. Polar capsules were pyriform in shape, equal in size and measured 1.6–2.0 × 1.0–1.2 μm; the polar filaments were 22–28 μm in length. There was a bean-shaped sporoplasm measuring 3.5 × 1.5 μm. No iodine vacuole was detected when the parasite was stained with Lugol's iodine.     

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.     

Light and Electron Microscopy of the Spore of Myxobolus heckelii n. sp. (Myxozoa), Parasite from the Brazilian Fish Centromochlus heckelii (Teleostei, Auchenipteridae)

ABSTRACT. A myxosporean parasitizing the gill filaments of the freshwater teleost fish Centromochlus heckelii collected in the Tocantins River (Lower Amazonian Region, Brazil) is described using light and electron microscopy. This parasite produces spherical to ellipsoidal cyst-like plasmodia up to 250 μm in diameter, with a thick wall strengthened by several stratified juxtaposed crossed collagen layers, whose thickness varies according to the number of the layers. Several compressed fibroblasts are observed among the collagen fibrils. Deposits of spherical dense material are scattered at the internal periphery of the cysts. Plasmodia and different developmental stages, including immature and mature spores, filled the central region of the cysts. The spore body is ellipsoidal in valvar view and biconvex in sutural view. It is formed by two equal-sized and symmetric valves measuring 12.7 μm long (12.2–13.1) ( n =50), 6.6 μm wide (6.3–6.9) ( n =25), and 4.0 μm (3.7–4.4) ( n =20) thick. A thin layer formed by fine and anastomosed microfibrils is observed at the spore surface. Two equal, elongated pyriform polar capsules measure 2.9 μm (2.7–3.3) × 1.7 μm (1.4–2.0) ( n =25), each containing four or five oblique polar filament coils. The binucleated sporoplasm contains numerous spherical sporoplasmosomes, glycogen particles, and a large vacuole with fine granular matrix. Based on the morphological and ultrastructural differences and specificity of the host, we describe this isolate as a new myxosporidian, Myxobolus heckelii n. sp. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea).     

Sphaerospora epinepheli N. Sp. (Myxosporea: Sphaerosporidae) Observed in Grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus)

Sphaerospora epinepheli n. sp. is described from grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus , in cage-cultured and wild fish collected from both coastal lines of southern Thailand. Subspherical to spherical spores and mono- or disporous pseudoplasmodia were observed in the lumen of kidney tubules. Pseudoplasmodia were round to elongate, size range 15.6–22.9 μm (length) × 8.4–21.6 μm (width). Spores were 7.8–10.0 μm (length) × 12.3–14.5 μm (thickness), and 7.0–9.5 μm (width) with two spherical polar capsules of equal size measuring 2.9–4.4 μm in diameter and containing polar filaments with six or seven windings. Two uninucleate sporoplasms showed iodine vacuoles. Blood stages, similar to C-blood protozoans observed from freshwater fish in Europe, were found from peripheral blood smears of grouper. Ultrastructural studies of blood stages showed a similar structure to unidentified mobile protozoans from the blood of carp. Electron dense bodies were observed in the cytoplasm of the primary cell blood stages. Infected proximal-tubular epithelial cells showed highly vacuolated cytoplasm and pycnotic nuclei.     

Serological response of cats to experimental Besnoitia darlingi and Besnoitia neotomofelis infections and prevalence of antibodies to these parasites in cats from Virginia and Pennsylvania

Besnoitia darlingi and Besnoitia neotomofelis are cyst-forming tissue apicomplexan parasites that use domestic cats (Felis domesticus) as definitive hosts and opossums (Didelphis virginiana ) and Southern Plains woodrats (Neotoma micropus) as intermediate hosts, respectively. Nothing is known about the prevalence of B. darlingi or B. neotomofelis in cats from the United States. Besnoitia darlingi infections have been reported in naturally infected opossums from many states in the United States, and B. neotomofelis infections have been reported from Southern Plains woodrats from Texas, but naturally infected cats have not been identified. The present study examined the IgG antibody response of cats to experimental infection (B. darlingi n = 1 cat; B. neotomofelis n = 3 cats). Samples from these cats were used to develop an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), which was then used to examine seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to tachyzoites of B. darlingi and B. neotomofelis in a population of domestic cats from Virginia (N = 232 cats) and Pennsylvania (N = 209). The serum from cats inoculated with B. darlingi or B. neotomofelis cross-reacted with each other's tachyzoites. The titers to heterologous tachyzoites were 1 to 3 dilutions lower than to homologous tachyzoites. Sera from B. darlingi- or B. neotomofelis-infected cats did not react with tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii or Neospora caninum or merozoites of Sarcocystis neurona using the IFAT. Antibodies to B. darlingi were found in 14% and 2% of cats from Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. Antibodies to B. neotomofelis were found in 5% and 4% of cats from Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. Nine cats from Virginia and 1 cat from Pennsylvania were positive for both.     

The Sporulated Oocysts of Eimeria illinoisensis n. sp. and of Other Species of Eimeria of the Ox

SYNOPSIS. The sporulated oocysts of 12 species of Eimeria occurring in the ox Bos taurus in the United States are described and differentiated. They are E. alabamensis, E. auburnensis, E. bovis, E. brasiliensis, E. bukidnonensis, E. canadensis, E. cylindrica, E. ellipsoidalis, E. illinoisensis n. sp., E. subspherica, E. wyomingensis and E. zuernii. Two other species, not yet found in North America, which are recognized as valid are E. pellita and E. thianethi. The sporulated oocysts of E. illinoisensis n. sp. are ellipsoidal or slightly ovoid, 24–29 by 19–22 μ with a mean of 26.3 by 20.7 μ; their sporocysts are 13–16 by 6–7 μ with a mean of 15.3 by 6.5 μ. This species was found in 3 cattle from one farm in Illinois.     

Eimeria galateai sp. n. from the Paradise Kingfisher, and Eimeria duncani sp. n. from the Sacred Kingfisher in Papua New Guinea

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria galateai sp. n. from the paradise kingfisher ( Tanysiptera galatea Gray) and Eimeria duncani sp. n. from the sacred kingfisher ( Halcyon sancta Vigors & Horsfield) have been described from Papua New Guinea. Four of 11 paradise kingfishers were infected with E. galateai oocysts, measuring 13 (11–16) × 9 (8–11) μm. The oocysts were ovoid with nipple-like protrusion at one pole. Micropyle and polar granule were absent, while oocyst residuum (5 × 4 μm) was present. Sporocysts, measuring 5 (4–6) × 2 μm, were elongate-ovoid, and had a distinct convex Stieda body; the sporocyst residuum was absent. Two of 9 sacred kingfishers were infected with ovoid-truncated, 22 (19–25) × 16 (12–18) μm oocysts of E. duncani . Polar granule (5 × 2) was present in the oocysts, but there was no micropyle or oocyst residuum. Sporocysts were ovoid, measuring 9 (8–10) × 5 (4–6) μm, with a prominent Stieda body, and granular sporocyst residuum. Eimeria galateai and E. duncani are the first species of this genus to be described from birds of the order Coraciiformes.     

Eimeria sinaitae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Rock Agama (Agama sinaita) in Saudi Arabia

Eimeria sinaitae n. sp. is described from the gall bladder of Agama sinaita from Wasie, Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts are elongate-ellipsoid 34.4 times 22.0 (29.0–40.0 times 17.4–24.5) μm. Oocyst wall is smooth, greenish yellow, 1.2 (1.0–1.4) μm thick, and two-layered. Micropyle, polar granule, and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid 11.4 times 7.6 (9.8–15.0 times 6.7–9.0) μm. Sporocyst residuum is present. The sporocysts lack a Stieda body. Sporozoites are crescent-shaped, blunt at one end and tapered at the other. Eimeria species from Agamidae are compared.     

Two new ciliates from Hong Kong coastal water: Orthodonella sinica n. sp. and Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp. (Protozoa: Ciliophora)

ABSTRACT. The morphology and infraciliature of Orthodonella sinica n. sp. and Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp., isolated from the coastal water off Hong Kong, were investigated in living and stained specimens. Orthodonella sinica n. sp. is diagnosed as: a marine Orthodonella 150–310 × 40–80 μm in vivo; with a dominant beak-like projection at the anterior end; about 70 somatic kineties; 84–126 dikinetids in the synhymenium; one contractile vacuole in the posterior one-fourth of cell, near the left margin; one conspicuous dorsal suture. Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp. is diagnosed as: an Apokeronopsis about 150–230 × 35–55 μm in vivo; dark-reddish blood-cell-shaped cortical granules grouped in three rows on the ventral side and two rows on the dorsal side; 23–35 cirri in the right mid-ventral rows (MVR) and 23–32 cirri in the left MVR; six to eight buccal, two frontoterminal, 30–42 left marginal, and 32–43 right marginal cirri; 21–30 transverse cirri extending anteriorly beyond the level of mid-body; consistently three dorsal kineties. The separation of A. wrighti n. sp. and its highly similar congeners Apokeronopsis crassa and Apokeronopsis bergeri was supported by comparison of their SSrRNA gene sequences.     

Eimeria zapi sp. n. from the Meadow Jumping Mouse, Zapus hudsonius Zimmerman in Southwestern Michigan

SYNOPSIS Four of 5 meadow jumping mice ( Zapus hudsonius ) captured had in their feces a previously undescribed species of Eimeria which is named Eimeria zapi sp. n. The sporulated oocysts measured 21.7 (19.5–24.0) × 20.3 (17.5–23.0) μm. The single-layered oocyst wall was 1.5 μm thick, rough, pitted and appeared clear-to-amber. Usually 2 polar granules could be seen. An oocyst residuum was not observed. Each sporocyst averaged 16.0 (12.5–18.0) × 9.7 (7.5–11.5) μm. A substiedal body was present. The sporocyst residuum consisted of a membrane-enclosed packet of 15 to 20 granules. This is the first species of Eimeria to be described from the genus Zapus.     

Morphological Comparison of Diophrys scutum (Dujardin, 1841) and Diophrys peloetes n. sp. (Hypotrichida, Ciliophora)

SYNOPSIS. Diophrys scutum , collected from four locations on the New Hampshire coast, ranged from 89–195 7mu; in length, 50–105 μ in width, and 68–88 μ in buccal cavity length. The end of the adoral zone of membranelles (AZM) extends 37–59 μ (average = 45.6 μ) posteriorly in a groove on the right side of the body. Dorsally are five rows of stiff cilia. The silverline system (Chatton-Llvoff technique) appears as a fine meshwork, entirely different from that found in Euplotes or Uronychia . There are two elongate macronuclei (Feulgen reaction) and several micronuclei. Diophrys peloetes n. sp., collected from one location in Alligator Harbor. Florida, ranged from 95–134 μ in length, 62–84 μ in width. and 60–80 μ in buccal cavity length. The terminal portion of the AZM extends posteriorly in a groove 30–44 7mu; (average = 36.8 μ) on the right side of the body. Dorsally are eight rows of stiff cilia. The details of the silverline system are similar to those of D. scutum .
There is insufficient difference in ranges of body length, width. and buccal cavity length to use these characters in separating the two species. However, a statistical analysis shows that the length of the portion of the AZM on the right side of the body in D. scutum is significantly different (longer) from that of D. peloetes. Furthermore, these two species differ not only in number of dorsal ciliary rows, but also in the number of cilia per row. The degree of difference in these two species is similar to that between closely related species in other hypotrich genera, and also to that between some varieties of Paramecium aurelia.     

A New Species of Henneguya (Myxosporidea: Myxobolidae) from the Black Drum Pogonias cromis in Clear Lake, Texas

SYNOPSIS. Henneguya texana n. sp. (Myxosporidea: Myxobolidae) is described from the gill filaments of 2 out of 47 specimens of marine sciaenid fish Pogonias cromis collected from Clear Lake, Texas. The spore body is 7–9 by 6–7 μ (mean 8.1 by 6.7 μ) with a thickness of 4–5 μ (mean 4.7 μ). The 2 fused, tapering caudal processes are 36–59 μ (mean 48.65 μ) long. The parasitized fish were collected in December 1970 and January 1971 were 168 and 482 mm in total length, respectively.     

Eimeria lemuris n. sp., E. galago n. sp. and E. otolicni n. sp. from a Galago Galago senegalensis

SYNOPSIS. Three new species of Eimeria are described from the intestinal contents of a galago Galago senegalensis E. Geoff. imported into the Amsterdam Zoo from Africa. The oocysts of E. lemuris n.sp. are 44-57 by 38-47 μ and contain 4 sporocysts measuring 17-20 by 10.5–14 μ. The oocysts of E. galago n.sp. are 20-25 by 19-23 μ and contain 4 sporocysts measuring 9-12 by 6-9 μ. The oocysts of E. otolicni n.sp. are 23-31 by 22-28 μ and contain 4 sporocysts measuring 10-15 by 8-12 μ. A few Isospora resembling I. arctopitheci Rodhain, 1933 were seen.     

Isospora atrata N. Sp. (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae): a New Coccidium Isolated from Carduelis atrata (Passeriformes, Fringillidae)

ABSTRACT Large numbers of coccidian oocysts belonging to the genus Isospora were obtained from the intestinal contents of 98 Carduelis atrata imported into Italy from South America during the months of August through December 1994. The oocysts are sub-spherical and average 21 × 20.3 μm (19.4–23.5 μm × 18.5–22 μm), have a bilayered wall, and an oval polar granule (rarely two). The sporocysts are elliptical and measure 18.8 μm × 10.3 μm (17.5–18.94 μm × 9.5–11.0 μm). The Stieda body protrudes slightly from the end of the sporocyst. A large sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of many granules that may be in a compact mass or scattered. Since this Isospora sp.does not resemble any other species of Isospora previously described from birds of the genus Carduelis , it has been named Isospora atrata n. sp. after the host. Disseminated asexual stages were found in mononuclear cells derived from formalin-fixed post mortem material, suggesting this coccidian may represent an Atoxoplasma -like parasite. Four coccidia-free Serinus canarius L. cohabitated for a long period (4 mo) with infected C. atrata but oocysts were never found in the stool of these birds.