Eimeria atricillae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the laughing gull Leucophaeus atricilla (Linnaeus) (Aves: Charadriiformes: Laridae) in Port Isabel, Texas.

ABSTRACT

A new coccidian species, Eimeria atricillae n. sp. (Apicomplexa Eimeriidae) collected from the laughing gull Leucophaeus atricilla, is reported from Port Isabel, Texas, USA. Sporulated oöcysts of the new species are spherical to subspherical, 16.0-18.1 × 14.4-16.6 (17.1 × 15.4) µm, with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.0-1.1; polar granules are present, but micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid, 9.1-9.7 × 6.1-7.1 (9.4 × 6.6) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.3-1.5; Stieda body present, but sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent; sporocyst residuum diffuse.