Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) in Pennsylvania with a description of one new species.

ABSTRACT

Intestinal contents of 41 eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) from Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, were examined for the presence of Eimeria spp. Three previously named species were identified E. lateralis (prevalence = 9%), E. ovata (3%), and E. vilasi (74%); 1 new species, Eimeria tamiensis n. sp. (74%), is described here. This report extends the geographic ranges of the named species into Pennsylvania. Sporulated oocysts of E. tamiensis n. sp. are ovoid and 18.6 x 14.5 (16-23 x 12-17) microm, with no micropyle or residuum. Sporocysts are ellipsoid and 8.6 x 5.4 (7-10 x 4-8) microm. with a Stieda body and granular residuum. Prevalences of E. lateralis and E. vilasi were similar to those reported previously. The differences in prevalences may be due to different life-history strategies of high- and low-prevalence Eimeria species.