Eimeria filamentifera sp. n. from the Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina (Linné), in Iowa |
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Authors: | RICHARD S. WACHA JAMES L. CHRISTIANSEN |
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Affiliation: | Department of Biology, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa 50311 |
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Abstract: | SYNOPSIS. Oocysts of Eimeria filamentifera sp. n. were isolated from 2 of 2 snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina (Linné), in Iowa. The ovoid to ellipsoid oocysts of this species averaged 23.2 × 18.6 μm and had a length/width ratio ranging from 1.1 to 1.6. The ellipsoid sporocysts averaged 14.0 × 7.7 μm and had papillose, filament-bearing Stieda bodies. Oocyst and sporocyst residua were present, but micropyle and polar granule were not. This appears to be the 2nd species of Eimeria reported from snapping turtles, with E. chelydrae being the first. |
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Keywords: | Eimeria filamentifera sp. n. snapping turtle taxonomy light microscopy |
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