Comparative molecular analyses of Eimeria Schneider (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) species from rock ptarmigan in Iceland, Svalbard-Norway, and Japan.

The rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) has a Holarctic breeding distribution and is found in arctic and sub-arctic regions. Isolated populations and glacial relicts occur in alpine areas south of the main range, like the Pyrenees in Europe, the Pamir mountains in Central Asia, and the Japanese Alps. In recent decades considerable effort has been made to clarify parasite infections in the rock ptarmigan. Seven Eimeria spp. have been reported parasitizing rock ptarmigan. Two of those species, E. uekii and E. raichoi parasitizing rock ptarmigan (L. m. japonica) in Japan, have been identified genetically. Here we compare partial sequences of nuclear (18S rRNA) and mitochondrial (COI) genes and we detail the morphology of sporulated oocysts of E. uekii and E. raichoi from Japan, E. muta and E. rjupa, from the rock ptarmigan (L. m. islandorum) in Iceland, and two undescribed eimerian morphotypes, Eimeria sp. A, and Eimeria sp. B, from rock ptarmigan (L. m. hyperborea) in Norway (Svalbard in the Norwegian Archipelago). Two morphotypes, ellipsoidal and spheroidal, are recognized for each of the three host subspecies. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that the ellipsoidal oocyst types, E. uekii, E. muta, and Eimeria sp. A (Svalbard-Norway) are identical and infects rock ptarmigan in Japan, Iceland, and Svalbard-Norway, respectively. Eimeria uekii was first described in Japan in 1981 so that E. muta, described in Iceland in 2007, and Eimeria sp. A in Svalbard-Norway are junior synonyms of E. uekii. Also, phylogenetic analysis shows that the spheroidal oocyst types, E. rjupa and Eimeria sp. B (Svalbard-Norway), are identical, indicating that rock ptarmigan in Iceland and Svalbard-Norway are infected by the same Eimeria species and differ from E. raichoi in Japan.

Presence of eimerid oocysts in faeces of a quarantined dog in Iceland is explained by coprophagic behaviour prior to its importation. Case report.

BACKGROUND: All dogs imported into Iceland must undergo mandatory quarantine in a special station before introduction into the country. A faecal sample is collected from the first stool passed by the dog in this station and subsequently examined for the presence of intestinal parasite stages. CASE PRESENTATION: In May 2019 unsporulated oocysts were detected in faeces from a 7-year-old household dog that had been imported from Sweden. Most of the oocysts studied strongly resembled those of Eimeria canis Wenyon, 1923. As this species is not valid, the purpose of the present article was to identify the correct species and examine their possible origin. Studies confirmed the presence of two distinct unsporulated oocyst morphotypes in the faeces; measurements and photomicrographs confirmed their identification as Eimeria magna Pérard, 1925 and Eimeria stiedai (Lindemann, 1865) Kisskalt and Hartmann, 1907, both common parasites of European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L., 1758). When the owner of the dog was questioned about the food administrated to the dog prior to its import to Iceland, it turned out that it had exclusively been fed dry dog food pellets. However, the owner also reported that on the morning prior to transportation to Iceland, the dog was allowed to move freely in a grassland area where rabbits are common and heaps of their faeces are present. Furthermore, the owner confirmed that the dog consumed rabbit faeces that morning. CONCLUSION: It is believed that this coprophagic behaviour can explain the detection of rabbit eimerids in the dog's faeces, and that such behaviour must be taken into consideration by veterinarians and other diagnostic personnel when they detect atypical cysts or eggs during coprological examinations.

A novel coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Scotophilus leucogaster (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in southern Saudi Arabia.

A novel species of coccidia, resembling a member of the genus Eimeria, was found in bats, Scotophilus leucogaster, collected in southern Saudi Arabia has been described on the basis of unsporulated oocysts and DNA sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) and partial 18S rDNA regions. Unsporulated oocysts of this form are ovoidal to spheroidal and had a 2-layered wall, 1.5-2.0 (1.9 ± 0.2); the outer layer was light blue with striations, and thicker than the inner, darker layer. No micropyle was present. Unsporulated oocysts (N = 150) measured 27.2 × 22.1 (25-30 × 20-25), length width ratio, 1.2 (1.1-1.4). There was no evidence of an oocyst residuum and/or polar granule. This parasite was detected in 2/7 (29%) S. leucogaster collected from southern Saudi Arabia. Oocysts incubated at 25 °C in 2.5% K2Cr2O7 did not sporulate after > 1 month. Unsporulated oocyst measurements were compared with other coccidian parasites of bats that discharge oocysts in their feces. Sequences of the ITS1 and the 18S rDNA regions obtained from the unsporulated oocysts grouped this coccidium from S. leucogaster with eimerian species from various rodent and squirrel species. It is critical that future investigators obtain fully sporulated oocysts of this coccidium for full description of the parasite recovered in our study so it can be correctly assigned to genus and given an accurate binomial.

Isospora phainopepla n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Phainopepla nitens (Swainson) (Passeriformes: Ptiliogonatidae) in the Joshua Tree National Park, USA.

Isospora phainopepla n. sp. is described from the faeces of Phainopepla nitens (Swainson) collected in Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA. To our knowledge, there are no metazoan or protist parasites described yet from any species in the Ptiliogonatidae of the Americas. Sporulated oöcysts of the isosporan are ellipsoidal, 30-35 × 22-29 (32.9 × 25.4) µm, with a length/width (L/W) ratio 1.20-1.35 (1.30); one rice-shaped polar granule is present, but both oöcyst residuum and micropyle are absent. Sporocyts are elongate-ellipsoidal, 22-27 × 11-14 (23.9 × 12.0) µm, with L/W ratio 1.97-2.02 (2.00); prominent Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies are both present, but para-Stieda body is absent. Sporocyst residuum of many scattered granules is present and the sporozoites have prominent anterior and posterior refractile bodies. This parasite is clearly new to science and represents the first species of Isospora hosted by a New World bird species from this small family of silky flycatchers (Ptiliogonatidae). This article was registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) as 7F664B0D-DF0E-4CAD-8CEA-45D79C8BBF92. This article was published as an Online First article on the online publication date shown on this page. The article should be cited by using the doi number. This is the Version of Record.

Five new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from the endangered Tibetan antelope Pantholops hodgsonii (Abel) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae: Caprinae) in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve Area of Qinghai Province, China.

We examined faeces of 76 endangered Tibetan antelopes Pantholops hodgsonii (Abel) in May 2017, from the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, Qinghai Province, China, and found 62/76 (82%) discharging oöcysts representing five new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875. Oöcysts of Eimeria pantholopensis n. sp., found in 54/76 (71%) chiru, are subspheroidal/ellipsoidal, 15-22 × 12-19 (18.6 × 16.1) µm, with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.0-1.3 (1.2); micropyle cap and 1-3 polar granules are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 7-11 × 4-6 (9.2 × 5.3) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.6-2.0 (1.7); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum of small, scattered granules are present; each sporozoite contains 2 refractile bodies. Oöcysts of Eimeria wudaoliangensis n. sp. found in 52/76 (68%) chiru, are pyriform, 21-29 × 17-21 (24.9 × 19.0) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.1-1.5 (1.3); micropyle, micropyle cap and 1-4 polar granules are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 9-13 × 5-8 (11.7 × 6.7) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.4-2.7 (1.7); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum of disbursed granules are present; sporozoites have a single large refractile body. Oöcysts of Eimeria hodgsonii n. sp. found in 20/76 (26%) chiru, are elongate-ellipsoidal, 25-32 × 18-21 (28.9 × 19.8) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.2-1.7 (1.5); micropyle, micropyle cap and 1-3 polar granules are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 11-14 × 6-7 (12.3 × 6.8) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.7-2.1 (1.8); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum as group of large granules lying along the interface between intertwined sporozoites are present; sporozoites have 2 refractile bodies. Oöcysts of Eimeria schalleri n. sp. found in 49/76 (64.5%) chiru, are ellipsoidal, 26-36 × 19-25 (30.4 × 23.2) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.2-1.5 (1.3); micropyle with micropyle cap and polar granules appearing as many diffuse tiny bodies are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 12-16 × 7-9 (14.2 × 7.8) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.6-2.1 (1.8); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present, the latter as a group of small dispersed granules between intertwined sporozoites; sporozoites with 2 refractile bodies. Oöcysts of Eimeria sui n. sp. found in 4/76 (5%) chiru, are ovoidal, 32-38 × 26-30 (36.6 × 28.6) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.0-1.4 (1.3); micropyle and micropyle cap and 1-3 polar granules are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 15-18 × 8-10 (16.7 × 8.9) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.7-2.1 (1.9); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present, the latter as a group of dispersed small granules; sporozoites with 2 refractile bodies. Five of 62 faecal samples in which oöcysts were detected (8%) had a single species infection, 13 of 62 (21%) had two species, 28 of 62 (45%) had three species and 16 of 62 (26%) had four species.

A new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) infecting the intestine of the Mediterranean house gecko Hemidactylus turcicus Linnaeus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae).

A new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 was discovered in the Mediterranean house gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus) in Saudi Arabia. Both exogenous (sporulated oöcysts) and endogenous developmental stages (meronts, gamonts) were studied and measured. Sporulated oöcysts are spheroidal to slightly subspheroidal, 17-22 (18) µm wide, with a smooth, bi-layered oöcyst wall; micropyle, polar granule and oöcyst residuum are all absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 9-11 × 6-8 (10 × 7) µm, with both Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies, a dispersed granular sporocyst residuum, and four sporozoites. Endogenous stages develop extranuclearly in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the small intestine. Early uninucleate meronts are spheroidal, c.3-5 (4) µm wide. Multinucleated meronts are subspheroidal, 11-15 × 9-12 (13 × 10) µm, but mature meront and merozoites were not seen. Mature microgamonts, with up to 60 microgametes, are spheroidal, 11-15 (13) µm; macrogamonts are subspheroidal, with a prominent central nucleus, and measured 11-14 × 7-10 (12 × 8) µm.

Four new species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Owen Stanley Skinks, Papuascincus stanleyanus (Sauria: Scincidae), from Papua New Guinea.

Between September and November 1991, 12 Owen Stanley skinks, Papuascincus stanleyanus (Booulenger) were collected from various localities on Papua New Guinea and examined for coccidians. Six (50%) were found to harbour four eimerians that we describe here as new. Oocysts of Eimeria burseyi sp. n. were elongate to ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall and measured (length x width, L x W) 36.0 x 24.0 microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.5. Both micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a polar granule was present. Oocysts of Eimeria goldbergi sp. n. were ellipsoidal, with a bilayered wall, and measured 21.4 x 16.1 microm; L/W ratio was 1.3. Both micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a single or fragmented polar granule was present. Oocysts of Eimeria boulengeri sp. n. were spheroidal to slightly subspheroidal, with a thin, single-layered wall that readily collapses, and measured 16.0 microm, L/W ratio was 1.0. Both micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but usually one (sometimes two) polar granule(s) were present. Oocysts of Eimeria niuginiensis sp. n. were oblong to tapered with a bilayered wall, and measured 20.0 x 13.1 microm; L/W ratio was 1.5. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule were absent. To our knowledge, these represent the only coccidians ever described from P. stanleyanus.

Choleoeimeria salaselensis sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the gall bladder of the horned viper Cerastes gasperettii (Serpentes: Viperidae) in Saudi Arabia.

Oocyst morphology and endogenous developmental stages are described for Choleoeimeria salaselensis sp. n. from the gall bladder of 10 horned vipers, Cerastes gasperettii Leviton and Anderson, in Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts are ellipsoidal, 23 x 15 (22-25 x 14-17) microm, length/width ratio (L/W) 1.5 (1.4-1.6), each with 4 sporocysts (Eimeria-like), but lack a micropyle, polar granules and oocysts residuum. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 8 x 5 (7-9 x 5-) microm, L/W 1.5 (1.4-1.6), and Stieda, substieda and parasubstieda bodies are all absent, but a longitudinal suture, which divided the sporocysts into 2 plates, is present. Endogenous development is confined to epithelial cells in the bile duct and gall bladder; mature meronts were 11 x 7 microm, each with 10-16 merozoites, microgamonts were -12 microm wide, and macrogamonts were -16 microm wide with a prominent nucleus and wall-forming bodies. Given these two diagnostic features, sporocysts with a suture and composed of two plates and endogenous development limited to the biliary epithelium, we believe this coccidium is best classified as a member of Choleoeimeria Paperna et Landsberg, 1989. There are 5 known Eimeria species from vipers that have sporocysts somewhat similar in size to those of our new form, but all of them have much larger oocysts and larger sporocysts, some of which differ significantly in shape; there are not yet any Choleoeimeria species known from the Viperidae.

Choleoeimeria ghaffari n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the gallbladder of Eryx jayakari Boulenger (Serpentes: Boidae) in Saudi Arabia.

Choleoeimeria ghaffari n. sp. is described from the gallbladder of Eryx jayakari Boulenger in Saudi Arabia. Oöcysts are tetrasporocystic, cylindroidal, 23 × 14 µm, with a smooth bi-layered wall and length/width ratio of 1.5, without micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule. Sporocysts are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 8 × 6 µm, with length/width ratio of 1.4, without Stieda, sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies but with sporocyst residuum. Sporozoites are banana-shaped measuring 10 × 1.5 µm. The endogenous development was found to occur in the gallbladder epithelium and the extrahepatic bile ducts. Mature meronts are spheroidal, c.10 µm wide, and suspected to produce 12-16 merozoites. Microgamonts are irregular in shape, 13 × 10 µm, whereas macrogamonts are mostly subspheroidal, c.12 µm wide, with a prominent centrally-located nucleus. Based on oöcyst morphology and the site of endogenous development (epithelium of the gallbladder and bile ducts) the new eimeriid coccidian was placed in the genus Choleoeimeria Paperna & Landsberg, 1989.

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the dusky rice rat Melanomys caliginosus (Tomes) (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Costa Rica.

We collected faecal samples from 24 dusky rice rats, Melanomys caliginosus (Tomes) (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae), in a Biological Reserve in Costa Rica, and found three (12.5%) to be infected with a species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875, which we describe here as new. Sporulated oöcysts of Eimeria caliginosa n. sp. are almost spheroidal and measure 16-21 × 17-20 (mean 19.6 × 18.2) µm; micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 9-13 × 6-8 (mean 11.2 × 6.7) µm, with small Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies present, but a para-Stieda body is absent; the sporocyst residuum is a compact mass of c.11-15 granules, c.5 µm wide. Sporozoites are crescent-shaped, 5-8 × 2-3 (mean 6.8 × 2.4) µm. This is the third species of Eimeria described from the genus Melanomys Thomas.

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Solomon ground skink, Sphenomorphus solomonis (Boulenger) (Sauria: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea.

Between September 1990 and November 1991, 19 Sphenomorphus spp. skinks, including nine S. jobiense, three S. simus, and seven Solomon ground skinks, S. solomonis (Boulenger), were collected from Madang and Morobe Provinces, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and examined for coccidia. A single S. solomonis was found to be infected with a new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875. Oöcysts of Eimeria perkinsae n. sp. are ellipsoidal with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall, measure 18.6 × 14.7 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.3; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a fragmented polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 8.9 × 6.4 µm, L/W 1.4; neither Stieda, sub-Stieda or para-Stieda bodies are present; a sporocyst residuum consisted of a loose cluster of granules dispersed between sporozoites. Sporozoites are comma-shaped with spheroidal anterior and posterior refractile bodies. This represents the first report of coccidia from this skink genus.

Four new coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Plateau zokor, Myospalax baileyi Thomas (Rodentia: Myospalacinae), a subterranean rodent from Haibei area, Qinghai Province, China.

Thirty-eight faecal samples from the Plateau zokor, Myospalax baileyi Thomas, collected in the Haibei Area, Qinghai Province, China, were examined for the presence of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). Seventeen of 38 faecal samples (44.7%) were found to contain coccidian oöcysts representing four new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875, and four of 17 (23.5%) infected zokors were concurrently infected with two or three of these eimerian species. The sporulated oöcysts of Eimeria myospalacensis n. sp. are ovoidal, 9.5-17.0 × 8.0-13.0 (mean 13.0 × 10.4) µm; a polar granule is present, oöcyst residuum is absent; sporocysts are ovoidal, 4.5-7.5 × 3.0-5.0 (mean 6.3 × 4.2) µm and have both a Stieda body and residuum. Oöcysts of Eimeria fani n. sp. are ellipsoidal to cylindroidal, 12.5-16.0 × 8.0-11.0 (mean 14.6 × 9.9) µm; a polar granule is present, but micropyle and residuum are lacking; sporocysts are ovoidal, 4.5-7.5 × 3.0-5.3 (mean 6.7 × 4.4) µm; a residuum and a Steida body are present. Oöcysts of Eimeria baileyii n. sp. are ellipsoidal, 15.0-23.0 × 12.0-18.0 (mean 18.2 × 13.7) µm; a polar granule is present but oöcyst residuum is absent; sporocysts are ovoidal, 8.0-11.0 × 5.0-7.0 (mean 9.5 × 5.9) µm and have both a Stieda body and residuum. Oöcysts of Eimeria menyuanensis n. sp. are ovoidal, 12.5-21.0 × 11.0-18.0 (mean 17.1 × 14.6) µm, with a distinct micropyle c.2.5 µm wide; a polar granule is present but a residuum is absent; sporocysts are ovoidal, 8.0-12.0 × 5.0-7.0 (mean 10.2 × 6.4) µm, and have both a Stieda body and residuum.

CORRECTING THE NAMES OF TWO HAEMOGREGARINA SPP. FROM LIZARDS IN EGYPT.

Two haemogregarine "species" names, Haemogregarina tarentannulari and Haemogregarina rawashi, were cited by Saoud et al. (1995) as having been described by Mohammed and Ramadan (1996, in press). However, the paper by Mohammed and Ramadan (1996) was never published and, therefore, these names and their authorities must be suppressed because they violate Chapter 3 (Criteria for Publication), Article 8 (What Constitutes Published Work) of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The following new names are introduced to replace them based on the Principle of Priority (Chapter 6, Article 23, 23.1, and Chapter 11, Article 51, Recommendation 51E): Hepatozoon rawashi (Mohammed and Ramadan in Saoud, Ramadan, Mohammed and Fawzi, 1995) n. comb., with gamonts in the erythrocytes and meronts in the lungs and liver of the fan-footed gecko, Ptyodactylus hasselquisiti (Donndorff, 1798) from Egypt, and Haemogregarina tarentannulari (Mohammed and Ramadan in Saoud, Ramadan, Mohammed and Fawzi, 1995), with gamonts in the erythrocytes and meronts in the lungs and liver of the white-spotted wall gecko, Tarentola annularis (St. Hilaire, 1827) also from Egypt. This latter species was determined to be a junior synonym of Haemogregarina annularis El-Naffar, Mandour, and Mohammed 1991, which was later reassigned to the genus Hepatozoon based on their phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA gene sequences.

Coccidia of Guinea fowls: Validity of recorded Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) and first molecular identification of Eimeria grenieri Yvoré & Aycardi, 1967.

Guinea fowls, Numida meleagris (L., 1758), are galliform birds native to sub-Saharan Africa, but introduced in several countries around the world for domestic breeding and/or animal production. This species is considered more resistant to disease by Eimeria spp. than other domestic galliform birds. Here we review the Eimeria spp. known to infect species of Numididae and provide the first molecular identification of an Eimeria sp. from Guinea fowls. There are currently 3 named eimerians from Guinea fowls; Eimeria numidae Pellerdy, 1962; Eimeria grenieri Yvoré and Aycardi, 1967; and Eimeria gorakhpuri Bhatia & Pande, 1967. We reviewed each of these species descriptions and documented their taxonomic shortcomings. From that, we suggest that E. gorakhpuri is a junior synonym of E. numidae. In conclusion, we have morphologically redescribed in detail E. grenieri from N. meleagris from Rio de Janeiro and provided molecular supplementation through sequencing of three non-overlapping loci in cox1 and cox3 genes and fragments of small and large subunit mitochondrial rDNA.

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Carlia spp. (Sauria: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea.

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from rainbow skinks, Carlia ailanpalai Zug and Carlia eothen Zug is described from specimens collected in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Oöcysts of Eimeria zugi n. sp. from one of one (100%) C. eothen are ellipsoidal to cylindroidal, with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall, measure 25.1 × 15.5 µm and have a length/width ratio of 1.6. The micropyle and the oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is present. The sporocysts are ovoidal to ellipsoidal and 10.3 × 7.1 µm in size and do not contain Stieda, sub-Stieda or para-Stieda bodies; and the sporocyst residuum is composed of a compact mass of large globules. The sporozoites are elongate, 12.8 × 2.9 µm in size, and contain anterior and posterior refractile bodies with a nucleus between them. This is the ninth species of coccidium described from skinks from PNG, and the new species described herein is apparently endemic to the skink genus Carlia (Gray).

Two new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from emerald tree skinks, Lamprolepis smaragdina (Lesson) (Sauria: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.

Two new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875, from emerald tree skinks, Lamprolepis smaragdina (Lesson) are described from specimens collected in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Philippines. Oöcysts of Eimeria nuiailan n. sp. from the only L. smaragdina from PNG are ovoidal, with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall, measure 23.7 × 19.1 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.3; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a fragmented polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 11.9 × 7.0 µm, L/W 1.7, and the wall is composed of two valves joined by a longitudinal suture; neither Stieda nor sub-Stieda bodies are present; a sporocyst residuum is present as a compact mass of granules. Sporozoites are elongate, 14.6 × 2.6 µm, and contain anterior and posterior refractile bodies with a nucleus between them. Oöcysts of Eimeria auffenbergi n. sp. from L. smaragdina collected in the Philippines are ovoidal, with a smooth, colourless, bi-layered wall, measure 19.9 × 15.8 µm, L/W 1.3; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but one to four polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 10.3 × 5.8 µm, L/W 1.8, and the wall is composed of two valves joined by a longitudinal suture; neither Stieda nor sub-Stieda bodies are present; a sporocyst residuum is composed of dispersed granules.

Biodiversity of the Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Conoidasida) in vertebrates: what we know, what we do not know, and what needs to be done.

Over the last two decades my colleagues and I have assembled the literature on a good percentage of most of the coccidians (Conoidasida) known, to date, to parasitise: Amphibia, four major lineages of Reptilia (Amphisbaenia, Chelonia, Crocodylia, Serpentes), and seven major orders in the Mammalia (Carnivora, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Insectivora, Marsupialia, Primates, Scandentia). These vertebrates, combined, comprise about 15,225 species; only about 899 (5.8%) of them have been surveyed for coccidia and 1,946 apicomplexan valid species names or other forms are recorded in the literature. Based on these compilations and other factors, I extrapolated that there yet may be an additional 31,381 new apicomplexans still to be discovered in just these 12 vertebrate groups. Extending the concept to all of the other extant vertebrates on Earth; i.e. lizards (6,300 spp.), rodents plus 12 minor orders of mammals (3,180 spp.), birds (10,000 spp.), and fishes (33,000 spp.) and, conservatively assuming only two unique apicomplexan species per each vertebrate host species, I extrapolate and extend my prediction that we may eventually find 135,000 new apicomplexans that still need discovery and to be described in and from those vertebrates that have not yet been examined for them! Even doubling that number is a significant underestimation in my opinion.

Coccidian parasites in the endangered Forest Musk Deer (Moschus berezovskii) in China, with the description of six new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae).

We examined 674 fresh fecal samples from forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii Flerov) in Sichuan and Shaanxi Provinces, China, for coccidian oocysts and 65% were infected with Eimeria spp. Previously, only four Eimeria species were known from Moschus spp. Here we describe six new Eimeria species. Eimeria aquae n. sp., in 38% deer, has ovoidal oocysts, 32.0 × 23.0 µm, micropyle (M) and scattered polar granules (PGs) of various sizes are present, sometimes oocyst residuum (OR) is present; ovoidal sporocysts, 14.1 × 7.5 µm, with Stieda body (SB) and sporocyst residuum (SR). Eimeria dolichocystis n. sp., in 11% deer; cylindroidal oocysts, 36.6 × 18.9, with a M, 1 PG and OR; ovoidal sporocysts, 13.9 × 7.7, with SB and SR. Eimeria fengxianensis n. sp., in 7% deer; ovoidal oocysts, 36.3 × 25.2, a M and PGs present but OR absent; ovoidal sporocysts, 13.9 × 7.3, with SB and SR. Eimeria helini n. sp. in 24% deer; subspheroidal oocysts, 27.0 × 24.1, OR and PGs often present, but M absent; ovoidal sporocysts, 13.5 × 7.7, with SB and SR. Eimeria kaii n. sp. in 26% deer; ovoidal oocysts, 33.2 × 20.7, M and PGs present, but OR absent; ovoidal sporocysts, 14.4 × 7.5, with SB and SR. Eimeria oocylindrica n. sp., in 17% deer; cylindroidal oocysts, 36.0 × 21.4, M and 1-2 PGs present but OR absent; ovoidal sporocysts, 13.8 × 7.7, with SB and SR. Eimeria dujiangyanensis n. nom. is proposed to replace E. moschus Sha, Zhang, Cai, Wang & Liu, 1994, a junior homonym of E. moschus Matschoulsky, 1947.

TITLE: Coccidies parasites du cerf porte-musc (Moschus berezovskii), une espèce en danger en Chine, avec la description de six nouvelles espèces d'Eimeria (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae). ABSTRACT: Nous avons examiné 674 échantillons de matières fécales fraîches de cerf porte-musc (Moschus berezovskii Flerov) dans les provinces du Sichuan et du Shaanxi, en Chine, pour les oocystes de coccidies et 65 % étaient infectés par Eimeria spp. Auparavant, seules quatre espèces d'Eimeria étaient connues chez Moschus spp. Nous décrivons ici six nouvelles espèces d'Eimeria. Eimeria aquae n. sp., chez 38 % des cerfs, a des oocystes ovoïdes, 32,0 × 23,0 µm, micropyle (M) et granules polaires (PG) de différentes tailles présents, parfois des résidus d'oocystes (OR) présents; sporocystes ovoïdes, 14,1 × 7,5 µm, avec corps de Stieda (SB) et résidu de sporocyste (SR). Eimeria dolichocystis n. sp., chez 11 % des cerfs; oocystes cylindroïdes, 36,6 × 18,9, avec un M, 1 PG et OR; sporocystes ovoïdes, 13,9 × 7,7, avec SB et SR. Eimeria fengxianensis n. sp., chez 7 % des cerfs; oocystes ovoïdes, 36,3 × 25,2, M et PG présents mais OR absent; sporocystes ovoïdes, 13,9 × 7,3, avec SB et SR. Eimeria helini n. sp. chez 24 % des cerfs; oocystes subsphéroïdaux, 27,0 × 24,1, OR et PG souvent présents, mais M absent; sporocystes ovoïdes, 13,5 × 7,7, avec SB et SR. Eimeria kaii n. sp. chez 26 % des cerfs; oocystes ovoïdes, 33,2 × 20,7, M et PG présents, mais OR absent; sporocystes ovoïdes, 14,4 × 7,5, avec SB et SR. Eimeria oocylindrica n. sp., chez 17 % des cerfs; oocystes cylindroïdes, 36,0 × 21,4, M et 1-2 PG présents mais OR absent; sporocystes ovoïdes, 13,8 × 7,7, avec SB et SR. Eimeria dujiangyanensis n. nom. est proposé pour remplacer E. moschus Sha, Zhang, Cai, Wang & Liu, 1994, homonyme junior de E. moschus Matschoulsky, 1947.

Hyaloklossia Labbé, 1896 (Alveolata: Apicomplexa) in frogs: Description of a new species and proposing a new subfamily to accommodate these enigmatic parasites.

Hyaloklossia Labbé ,1896 (Alveolata: Apicomplexa) is a monotypic genus of renal coccidia found in anurans, particularly in the edible frog Pelophylax kl. esculentus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae), distributed in different parts of Europe. Here we propose a new Hyaloklossia species from the Tokyo daruma pond frog, Pelophylax porosus porosus. The coccidium detected in the renal tissue of P. p. porosus shared some morphological characteristics with the type species, Hyaloklossia lieberkuehni (Labbé, 1894), reported from P. kl. esculentus. However, in addition to size differences in several oocyst and sporocyst features between these parasites, phylogenetic analysis of gene fragments from two nuclear ribosomal loci and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, exposed distinct genetic differences between H. lieberkuehni and our new species. Although our analysis validated the monophyly of Hyaloklossia with some members of the Toxoplasmatinae Biocca, 1957, Cystoisosporinae Frenkel et al., 1987, and Eumonosporinae Chou et al., 2021 (Sarcocystidae Poche, 1913), comparison of genetic differences between Hyaloklossia species from P. p. porosus and H. lieberkuehni revealed the presence of a greater number of polymorphisms than that observed when comparing inter-species (Heydornia spp., Besnoisita spp.) or inter-genus (Toxoplasma vs. Neospora, Neospora vs. Hammondia, and Neospora vs. Heydornia) variabilities among members of the Sarcocystidae. This indicates that Hyaloklossia, as re-erected and defined by Modrý et al. (2001, Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 51, 767-772), with its homoxenous life cycle, requires placement in its own subfamily. Thus, we propose a new subfamily, Hyaloklossiinae n. subfam., to accommodate two species, H. lieberkuehni from Europe and Hyaloklossia kasumienesis n. sp. which we describe here from P. p. porosus in Japan.

The Coccidia (Apicomplexa) of the Archosauria (Crocodylia: Eusuchia) of the World.

The order Crocodylia (suborder Eusuchia) includes 27 species of alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharials that are cosmopolitan in distribution, inhabiting subtropical and tropical locations. Numerous surveys (many of them trivial, with small sample sizes) have reported a wide variety of blood and intestinal apicomplexans from 17/27 (63%) crocodilian hosts, but neither a summation for the group nor a revisionary systematic approach to species evaluation has ever been provided. Herein, we summarize information on the 16 species of apicomplexans that we consider to be valid, including 8 Eimeria, 1 Haemogregarina (that eventually may be transferred to Hepatozoon), 4 Hepatozoon, 2 Isospora, and 1 Progarnia species. In addition, there are 46 apicomplexan forms that we have relegated to species inquirendae and/or only partially identified forms that await further study. We hope this review provides a foundation for future research between parasitologists and herpetologists on parasitism of all reptiles and their relatives. Since many apicomplexans seem to be reasonably host-specific, knowledge of shared species and/or genera may assist herpetologists to better understand the phylogenetic relationships among the New World crocodilians and the direction of their dispersal in the New World.