Morphological and molecular data establishes Clinostomum dolichorchum n. sp. (Digenea: Clinostomidae) in the great blue heron Ardea herodias L. and American bullfrog Rana catesbeiana Shaw.

Clinostomum is a cosmopolitan genus of trematodes that infect piscivorous birds, freshwater molluscs, freshwater fish and amphibians. Herein, a novel species of Clinostomum is described based on morphological and molecular data from an adult in the oral cavity of the great blue heron Ardea herodias and metacercariae collected from the gills and skin of American bullfrog tadpoles Rana catesbeiana. The novel species shares similar qualitative and quantitative morphological features with a congener, Clinostomum marginatum, which has overlap in host and geographic distribution. The most notable morphological difference when compared to C. marginatum is the greater posterior testis length of the novel species. Molecular data resolved similarities with morphological comparisons to nominal species and supports the establishment of a novel species. Molecular data include partial small ribosomal subunit (18S rRNA gene), ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1, 5.8S rRNA gene, and ITS2), partial large ribosomal subunit (28S rRNA gene), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene (nad1) sequences. Phylogenetic analyses place the novel species in a sister clade to C. marginatum. Morphological and molecular data, combined with phylogenetic analyses support the establishment of Clinostomum dolichorchum n. sp.

A new isosporan (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from barn swallow, Hirundo rustica (Aves: Passeriformes: Hirundinidae: Hirundininae), in Oklahoma, USA.

Compared to other commonly examined passerine birds for coccidian (Apicomplexa) parasites, little is available on the coccidia of birds of the family Hirundinidae, including barn swallows (Hirundo rustica). Feces was collected in May 2022 from two nesting H. rustica in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA; the samples contained oöcysts representing a new species of Isospora. Oöcysts of Isospora zimmermani n. sp. are subspheroidal to ovoidal with a smooth bi-layered wall, measure (L × W) 22.8 × 20.8 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; a micropyle and oöcyst residuum were absent but polar granule(s) are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal to ovoidal and measure 15.2 × 9.6 µm, L/W 1.6; a knob-like Stieda body and a rounded sub-Stieda body are present. The sporocyst residuum is composed of compact spheroid with a dense, irregular mass of finer granules lying between and dispersed among the sporozoites. The new species represents only the second isosporan reported from H. rustica but the first from the USA, and fourth species documented from the avian family Hirundinidae. This article was registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) as urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1F1E71C3-56E8-4EA7-A9B0-1E585FAA9DE0.

Redescription of Isospora vanriperorum Levine, 1982 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis (L.) (Passeriformes: Cardinalidae), in North Texas, USA.

Little is known about the coccidian parasites of North American birds of the family Cardinalidae. A single isosporan, Isospora vanriperorum was previously described over 40 years ago from the northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis from Hawaii. Since then, it was also reported in the green-winged saltator, Saltator similis from Brazil but the identification was invalidated recently. Feces were collected in July 2022 from two C. cardinalis found dead in Lamar County, Texas, USA. One sample contained oöcysts representing I. vanriperorum. Oöcysts are spheroidal to subspheroidal with a smooth uni-layered wall, measure (L × W) 23.8 × 22.4 µm and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.04; a micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent but polar granule(s) are present. Sporocysts are ovoidal and measure 15.5 × 10.5 µm, L/W 1.5; a knob-like Stieda body and a rounded sub-Stieda body are present. The sporocyst residuum is more often composed of various-sized granules dispersed between and across the sporozoites; it is less often in a compact rounded mass. This isosporan has now been reported from the northern cardinal for the second time but most importantly, from the mainland USA for the first time.

A new Myxobolus (Cnidaria: Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) from the gills of the southern striped shiner, Luxilus chrysocephalus isolepis (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae), from southwestern Arkansas, USA.

The southern striped shiner, Luxilus chrysocephalus isolepis (Hubbs & Brown) is a relatively large minnow belonging to the true minnow family Leuciscidae Bonaparte. Between May 2020 and January 2022, 55 L. c. isolepis were collected from watersheds in Montgomery (n = 6), Polk (n = 17) and Sevier (n = 32) counties, Arkansas, USA, and their gills, gallbladders, urinary bladders, fins, integument, other major organs, and musculature were examined for myxozoans. Gills of 11 (34%) individual southern striped shiners from Sevier County were infected with a new myxozoan, Myxobolus carlhubbsi n. sp. A qualitative and quantitative morphological description was based on formalin-fixed preserved myxospores, and molecular data consisted of a 1,970 base pair sequence of the partial small subunit rRNA gene from ethanol-preserved specimens. Histologically, plasmodia filled and expanded interlamellar troughs. Hyperplastic epithelial and goblet cells filled interlamellar troughs adjacent to plasmodia, but inflammatory response was limited to scattered lymphocytes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that M. carlhubbsi n. sp. is a member of a clade of species with pyriform myxospores parasitizing North American Pogonichthyinae Girard and North American and Eurasian Leuciscinae Bonaparte. This is the first report of a myxozoan from L. c. isolepis. This article was registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) as urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D10D71C2-2C75-4A1C-80ED-B98FF36CB509.

Pseudomurraytrema fergusoni n. sp. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from gills of Pealip Redhorse, Moxostoma pisolabrum (Catostomidae) from Arkansas, USA, with a description of gill pathology.

Pseudomurraytrema fergusoni n. sp. is described from the Pealip Redhorse, Moxostoma pisolabrum from the Black River (White River drainage), Lawrence County, Arkansas, USA. This represents the second monogenean described from M. pisolabrum as well as the second species of Pseudomurraytrema reported from an Arkansas catostomid. The description includes partial 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA gene sequences (732 bp and 851 bp, respectively), helping fill a void in sequence data from North American monogeneans, particularly those in the genus Pseudomurraytrema. In addition, histopathologic changes associated with the infection resulted in severe localized pathologic lesions in gills of the host, suggesting compromise of respiratory surfaces within affected areas adjacent to the worms.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Neodiplostomum and Fibricola (Digenea, Diplostomidae) does not support host-based systematics.

Fibricola and Neodiplostomum are diplostomid genera with very similar morphology that are currently separated based on their definitive hosts. Fibricola spp. are normally found in mammals, while Neodiplostomum spp. typically parasitize birds. Previously, no DNA sequence data was available for any member of Fibricola. We generated nuclear ribosomal and mtDNA sequences of Fibricola cratera (type-species), Fibricola lucidum and 6 species of Neodiplostomum. DNA sequences were used to examine phylogenetic interrelationships among Fibricola and Neodiplostomum and re-evaluate their systematics. Molecular phylogenies and morphological study suggest that Fibricola should be considered a junior synonym of Neodiplostomum. Therefore, we synonymize the two genera and transfer all members of Fibricola into Neodiplostomum. Specimens morphologically identified as Neodiplostomum cratera belonged to 3 distinct phylogenetic clades based on mitochondrial data. One of those clades also included sequences of specimens identified morphologically as Neodiplostomum lucidum. Further study is necessary to resolve the situation regarding the morphology of N. cratera. Our results demonstrated that some DNA sequences of N. americanum available in GenBank originate from misidentified Neodiplostomum banghami. Molecular phylogentic data revealed at least 2 independent host-switching events between avian and mammalian hosts in the evolutionary history of Neodiplostomum; however, the directionality of these host-switching events remains unclear.

A new species of Myxidium (Cnidaria: Myxosporea: Myxidiidae) from the gallbladder of pickerels, Esox spp. (Esociformes: Esocidae), from southwestern Arkansas, USA.

During April 2016 and again in November 2021, four Chain Pickerels, Esox niger were collected from Union (n = 3) and Nevada (n = 1) counties, Arkansas, USA, and 65 Grass Pickerels, Esox americanus vermiculatus were collected between January 2015 and December 2021 from four counties of Arkansas (n = 31) and McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA (n = 34), and examined for myxozoans. Gallbladders of an individual E. niger from Nevada County, Arkansas, as well as a single individual of E. a. vermiculatus from Sevier County, Arkansas, were infected with a new myxozoan, Myxidium whippsi n. sp. Qualitative and quantitative morphological data were from formalin-fixed preserved myxospores while molecular data (SSU rRNA gene) consisted of 2031bp (host: E. niger) and 1723 bp (host: E. a. vermiculatus) partial sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis placed M. whippsi n. sp. in a clade with two other myxozoans, Zschokkella nova and Myxidium truttae, previously reported from cyprinids and salmonids, respectively. We document the first report of a myxozoan from E. a. vermiculatus. This article was registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) as urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A50FCEB3-68C3-428E-A04E-37A16790F1EB.

A new caryosporan (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from flat-headed snake, Tantilla gracilis (Reptilia: Ophidia: Colubridae), from McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA.

The flat-headed snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard is a small reptile belonging to the family Colubridae. Feces from a single T. gracilis from McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA, was collected and examined for coccidia; it was found to be passing a new species of Caryospora. Oöcysts of Caryospora sargentae n. sp. are spheroidal to typically subspheroidal with a moderately-pitted bi-layered wall, measure (L × W) 20.7 × 19.2 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; a micropyle and oöcyst residuum were absent but one to several small, irregular to spheroidal masses of non-refractile debris within the oocyst was present as well as a polar granule attached to the inner oöcyst wall. Sporocysts are ovoidal and measure 15.0 × 11.0 µm, L/W 1.4; a nipple-like Stieda body is present as well as a distinct rounded sub-Stieda body. The sporocyst residuum is composed of a large, dense, irregular mass of various sized granules located between and often obscuring the sporozoites. This is the third coccidian described from the flat-headed snake. In addition, we include some data on the endogenous development of the coccidian.

A new species of Isospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Carolina chickadee (Passeriformes: Paridae), from Oklahoma, USA.

The Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis Audubon is a relatively small songbird belonging to the tit and chickadee family Paridae. Feces from three P. carolinensis from Polk County, Arkansas, USA, and a single P. carolinensis in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA, were collected and examined for coccidia; the latter bird was found to be passing a new species of Isospora. Oöcysts of Isospora oklahomaensis n. sp. are subspheroidal to ovoidal with a smooth to slightly-pitted bi-layered wall, measure (L × W) 32.1 × 28.3 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; a micropyle and oöcyst residuum were absent but a bilobed and refractile polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 18.4 × 11.8 µm, L/W 1.6; a prominent Stieda body is present as well as a distinct sub-Stieda body. The sporocyst residuum is composed of an irregular mass of granules lying between and dispersed among the sporozoites. This is the first coccidian described from the Carolina chickadee and, most importantly, only the second described from a member of the Paridae, worldwide.

A new species of Acroeimeria Paperna & Landsberg, 1989 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in Wiegmann's torquate lizard Sceloporus torquatus torquatus Weigmann (Sauria: Phrynosomatidae) from Toluca Valley, México.

A new species of Acroeimeria Paperna & Landsberg, 1989 is described from Wiegmann's torquate lizard Sceloporus torquatus torquatus Wiegmann from Toluca, México. Oöcysts of Acroeimeria wiegmanni n. sp. are sub-spheroidal with a smooth bi-layered wall, measure on average 28.6 × 23.6 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.2; a micropyle and an oocyst residuum are absent but polar granule(s) are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure on average 11.7 × 8.6 µm, L/W 1.3; Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of numerous spheroidal granules in the center of the sporocyst. Endogenous stages of the new species develop in the duodenum of hosts. This is the first species of coccidian reported from S. t. torquatus and one of the few reported from a reptile in México.

A new acroeimerian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in spotted house gecko, Gekko monarchus (Schlegel) (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Malaysia.

A new species of Acroeimeria Paperna & Landsberg, 1989 is described from the spotted house gecko, Gekko monarchus (Schlegel) from Peninsular Malaysia. Oöcysts of Acroeimeria grismeri n. sp. are spheroidal to subspheroidal with a smooth bi-layered wall, measure on average 18.4 × 17.3 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; a micropyle and an oöcyst residuum are absent but variable polar granule(s) are present, commonly in Brownian movement. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure on average 8.6 × 6.7 µm, L/W 1.3; Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of numerous spheroidal granules in the center of the sporocyst. This is the initial species of coccidian reported from G. monarchus and one of the few reported from any reptile from Peninsular Malaysia.

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1885 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the eastern gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Sciurinae: Sciurini) from Oklahoma, USA.

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1885 is described from an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) from McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA. Oöcysts of Eimeria lukfataensis n. sp. are ellipsoidal with a rough pitted bi-layered wall, measure 23.8 × 14.9 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.6; a micropyle is absent but an oöcyst residuum and polar granule(s) are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 12.5 × 6.1 µm, L/W 2.0; Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies are present, but para-Stieda body is absent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of small indistinct granules along the edge or in the center of the sporocyst. This is the first species of coccidian reported from S. carolinensis from Oklahoma and only the fourth species from the sciurid tribe Sciurini with oöcysts possessing an oöcyst residuum.

Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from great horned owls, Bubo virginianus (Gmelin) (Aves: Strigiformes) from Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA, with novel molecular information on Eimeria bubonis Cawthorn & Stockdale, 1981.

Although nine nominal species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 have been reported from owls (Strigiformes Wagler), molecular data are available for only one, Eimeria megabubonis Upton, Campbell, Weigel & McKown, 1990. This species has been reported from the great horned owl, Bubo virginianus (Gmelin) at the type-locality of Kansas, USA, and the additional localities of Oklahoma and Mississippi, USA. Eimeria bubonis Cawthorn & Stockdale, 1981, also from B. virginianus, is represented in the literature only by its original description from Saskatchewan, Canada. The present work reports a novel host locality of E. bubonis from B. virginianus in Arkansas, USA. Additionally, novel molecular data from the 18S ribosomal RNA gene and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene is provided for E. bubonis. Phylogenetic analysis using the newly generated and previously published sequence data for Eimeria spp. is also presented.

Three new coccidians (Cyclospora, Eimeria) from eastern moles, Scalopus aquaticus (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.

Aethycteron robisoni n. sp. (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from the sunburst darter, Etheostoma mihileze Mayden (Perciformes: Percidae), in Arkansas, USA.

Aethycteron robisoni n. sp. is described from the sunburst darter, Etheostoma mihileze Mayden (Perciformes: Percidae), in the Arkansas River Drainage of the Ozark Region in the Central Highlands of Arkansas, USA. Aethycteron robisoni morphologically most closely resembles A. caerulei Suriano & Beverley-Burton, 1982, A. moorei (Mizelle, 1940) and A. nigrei Suriano & Beverly-Burton, 1982, by possessing a male copulatory organ with a distinct distal curvature and spiraling sheath. The haptoral sclerites of A. robisoni, with the exception of the hooks, are distinctly larger than those of the other three species. This is the first time a monogenean parasite has been reported from E. mihileze as well as the first time the genus Aethycteron Suriano & Beverley-Burton, 1982 has been reported from Arkansas, USA.

A new eimerian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from southern short-tailed shrews, Blarina carolinensis (Bachman) (Soricimorpha: Soricidae: Soricinae) from southeastern Oklahoma, USA.

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from faecal samples of two of three southern short-tailed shrews, Blarina carolinensis (Bachman) (Soricidae) from southeastern Oklahoma, USA. Oöcysts of Eimeria tkachi n. sp. are subspheroidal to ovoidal with a rough-pitted, tan colored, bi-layered wall, measure 16.5 × 15.2 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but polar granule(s) are present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 9.5 × 6.5 µm, L/W 1.4; a distinct button-like Stieda body is present, but the sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent and the sporocyst residuum is composed of large globules distributed throughout the sporocyst. Sporozoites have a spheroidal anterior refractile body, a subspheroidal posterior refractile body, and one centrally-located nucleus. This is the smallest eimerian described thus far from the Soricidae, the initial description of a coccidian from B. carolinensis, and the first from any shrew from Oklahoma.

Three new species of Plagioporus Stafford, 1904 from darters (Perciformes: Percidae), with a redescription of Plagioporus boleosomi (Pearse, 1924) Peters, 1957.

A form of Plagioporus Stafford, 1904 is described from the intestine of three North American species of darters (Perciformes: Percidae) from River West Twin, Wisconsin, USA, that we consider to be conspecific with Plagioporus boleosomi (Pearse, 1924) Peters, 1957 based on similarities in the sucker ratio, extent of the forebody, shape and position of the testes, vitellarium distribution and terminal genitalia. Three new species of Plagioporus are described from the intestine of darters as follows: Plagioporus fonti n. sp. from Percina nigrofasciata Agassiz in Florida, USA, Plagioporus limus n. sp. from Etheostoma squamosum Distler in Arkansas, USA and Plagioporus aliffi n. sp. from Etheostoma blennioides newmanni Miller in Arkansas, USA. Morphologically Plagioporus fonti n. sp., Plagioporus limus n. sp. and Plagioporus aliffi n. sp. are most similar to one another and to P. boleosomi, Plagioporus lepomis Dobrovolny, 1939 and 'P. etheostomae', a nomen nudum for a species described from Etheostoma blennioides Rafinesque in Kentucky, USA, all of which are collectively distinguished from congeners in having a combination of confluent vitellarium in the post-testicular space and absence of vitelline follicles with their entire length distributed in the forebody. Plagioporus fonti n. sp., P. limus n. sp. and P. aliffi n. sp. are respectively distinguished from one another and their closest congeners in having the anterior extent of the vitellarium in the anterior half of forebody to slightly anterior to the ventral sucker as opposed to one approximately at the level of the posterior margin of the ventral sucker, possession of an excretory vesicle reaching the anterior testis as opposed to one only reaching the posterior testis and having a longer than wide oral sucker and a wider than long ventral sucker. A Bayesian inference (BI) analysis of partial 28S rDNA sequences was conducted using the three new species and 24 sequences of opecoelids retrieved from GenBank, including ten species of Plagioporus. Plagioporus aliffi n. sp., Plagioporus fonti n. sp. and P. boleosomi comprised a moderately supported sister group to a clade containing all species of Plagioporus except Plagioporus limus n. sp. and Plagioporus shawi (Mcintosh, 1939) Margolis, 1970. Plagioporus limus and in turn P. shawi were resolved as sister to all other congeners with high and moderate support, respectively.

A new eimerian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), from ornate box turtle, Terrapene ornata (Agassiz) (Testudines: Emydidae) from northwest Arkansas, USA.

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) collected from an ornate box turtle, Terrapene ornata (Agassiz) from Arkansas, USA, is described. Oöcysts of Eimeria doddi n. sp. are ovoidal to ellipsoidal with a smooth, light to darker brown, bi-layered wall, measure 21.1 × 14.0 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.5; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 9.9 × 6.1 µm, L/W 1.6; the Stieda body is present, but the sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent and the sporocyst residuum is composed of small granules in a cluster. Sporozoites have a spheroidal anterior refractile body, a subspheroidal posterior refractile body, and one centrally-located nucleus. This is the third description of an eimerian from the turtle genus Terrapene Merrem and the second from T. ornata. In addition, we report Eimeria ornata McAllister & Upton, 1989 from T. ornata from Texas.

A new coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), from midland brown snake, Storeria dekayi wrightorum Trapido (Ophidia: Colubridae) from Arkansas, USA.

A new species of coccidian (Protista: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) collected from the faeces of a midland brown snake Storeria dekayi wrightorum Trapido (Ophidia: Colubridae) in Arkansas, USA, is described. Oöcysts of Isospora holbrooki n. sp. are subspherical to ovoidal with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall, measure on average 27.1 × 24.0 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 14.8 × 10.0 µm on average (L/W 1.5); the Stieda body is nipple-like, the sub-Stieda body is ellipsoidal and the sporocyst residuum is composed of coarse granules in a cluster. Sporozoites have a spheroidal anterior refractile body, a subspheroidal posterior refractile body, and one centrally-located nucleus. This is the first description of an isosporan from the snake genus Storeria Baird & Girard as well as the largest oöcysts and sporocysts of any previous snake isosporan to date.

Two new species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from leaf-tailed geckos, Uroplatus spp. (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Madagascar, including a new host of Eimeria brygooi Upton & Barnard, 1987.

During May and June 2015, four common leaf-tailed geckos, Uroplatus fimbriatus (Schneider), five satanic leaf-tailed geckos, Uroplatus phantasticus (Boulenger), and four mossy leaf-tailed geckos, Uroplatus sikorae Boettger originally collected from Madagascar and housed at the Dallas Zoo, USA, had their faeces examined for coccidian parasites. Eight (62%) geckos were found to be passing oöcysts, including a new eimerian, a new isosporan and a previously described eimerian. Three of four (75%) U. fimbratus (type-host) and one of five (20%) U. phantasticus were infected with Eimeria schneideri n. sp.; oöcysts were subspheroidal to ellipsoidal with a bi-layered wall and measured (mean length × width, L × W) 15.1 × 13.5 µm, with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1. A micropyle and oöcyst residuum were absent but one to many polar granules were present. Sporocysts were ovoidal, 6.9 × 5.3 µm, L/W = 1.3. Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies were absent. A globular sporocyst residuum was present as dispersed granules. Four of five (80%) U. phantasticus harboured Isospora boulengeri n. sp.; oöcysts were subpheroidal to ellipsoidal with a bi-layered wall and measured 17.3 × 16.0 µm, L/W = 1.1. A micropyle and oöcyst residuum were absent but a polar granule was present. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal, 9.5 × 6.9 µm, L/W = 1.4. Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies were present but a para-Stieda body was absent. A globular sporocyst residuum was present with dispersed granules. In addition, one of four (25%) U. sikorae was infected with an eimerian indistinguishable from Eimeria brygooi Upton & Barnard, 1987, previously reported from Madagascar day gecko, Phelsuma grandis Gray and golddust day gecko, Phelsuma laticauda (Boettger) from Madagascar. These are the first coccidians described from Uroplatus spp.