Two new eimerians (Apicomplexa) from insectivorous mammals in Madagascar.

Fecal samples from 126 insectivorous mammals in Madagascar were collected between spring 1999 and fall 2001. In the Afrosoricida, 21 species in 5 genera were sampled, including 17 species of Microgale (31/96, 32% infected), Hemicentetes semispinosus (1/2, 50%), Oryzorictes hova (1/5, 20%), Setifer setosus (8/13, 61.5%), and Tenrec ecaudatus (5/8, 62.5%); in the Soricomorpha, only Suncus murinus was examined and 1/2 (50%) were infected. Two morphotypes of eimeriid oocysts, representing 2 presumptive new species, were found in 47 (37%) infected animals; only 2 afrosoricid hosts (2% of all hosts, 4% of infected hosts) had both oocyst morphotypes. Sporulated oocysts of the first morphotype, Eimeria tenrececaudata n. sp., are subspheroidal, 18.8 × 17.4 (17-22 × 15-20), with a length∶width ratio (L/W) of 1.1 (1.0-1.2); they lack a micropyle but may contain 0-2 polar granules and a single, small round oocyst residuum, 3 × 2.3. Sporocysts are lemon-shaped, 9.9 × 6.6 (9-11 × 5-8), with a L/W of 1.5 (1.2-2.0); they have a prominent, slightly flattened Stieda body and a substieda body but lack a parastieda body. The sporocyst residuum consists of only a few granules between the sporozoites, which are sausage-shaped and have a large posterior refractile body. Oocysts of the second morphotype, Eimeria setifersetosa n. sp. are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 30.1 × 28.6 (27-34 × 25-34), with a L/W of 1.1 (1.0-1.2); they lack both micropyle and oocyst residuum, but 1-2 polar granules are usually present. Sporocysts are subspheroidal to broadly ellipsoidal, 9.6 × 7.3 (9-11 × 6-8), with a L/W of 1.3 (1.1-1.7); they have a broad Stieda body, lack sub- and parastieda bodies, and have a residuum of a few granules scattered throughout the sporocyst. Sporozoites were not clearly defined, but what seemed to be a single large refractile body is seen, presumably in each sporozoite.

A pathogenic new species of Eimeria from the pygmy rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis, in Washington and Oregon, with description of the sporulated oocyst and intestinal endogenous stages.

In January 2003, fecal samples from 13 live pygmy rabbits, Brachylagus idahoensis (Merriam, 1891), were collected at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon, and sent to the University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque, New Mexico, to be examined for coccidia. In July 2004, 14 more fecal samples were collected and sent to UNM, 6 from some of the same rabbits and 8 from 16 other rabbits (4 were pooled samples from siblings). In addition, tissue sections from 3 dead rabbits (2 from the Oregon Zoo, 1 from Washington State University) also were examined. Two of 4 (50%) pooled fecal samples and 8 of 17 (47%) 1-rabbit samples were positive for a single species of Eimeria, which we describe here as a new species. Sporulated oocysts were subspheroidal, 25.6 x 23.8 (22-28 x 21-27) microm, with a length:width (L:W) ratio of 1.1 (1.0-1.2). A micropyle (approximately 2 microm wide) and 0-1 polar granules were present, but an oocyst residuum was absent. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal, 13.4 x 8.1 (11-16.5 x 7.5-9) microm, with a L:W ratio of 1.7 (1.3-2.2), and they had a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. Tissue sections showed a heavy infection of the villous epithelial cells of the proximal and mid-small intestine with coccidial endogenous stages, but no stages were found in liver hepatocytes. Meronts with approximately 46 (26-70) merozoites per infected cell appeared to be fully developed and were subspheroidal, 14.8 x 13.9 (13-18 x 10.5-16.5) microm. Developing macro- and microgamonts were indistinguishable from each other and were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 10.4 x 9.5 (9-11 x 7.5-10.5) microm. Mature macrogamonts were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 14.2 x 13.7 (12-17 x 11-16) microm, and mature microgamonts were smaller and subspheroidal, 11.9 x 10.8 (10.5-13 x 9-12) microm. This eimerian seems to be extremely pathogenic to young pygmy rabbits, and given the precarious nature of this unique genetic population, it appears to be an emerging pathogen that deserves immediate further study.

Redescription and new host record of Eimeria serbica from the Caucasian tree squirrel, Sciurus anomalus, from Turkey.

Fecal samples from 20 Caucasian tree squirrels, Sciurus anomalus (Gmelin, 1778) Güldenstaedt, 1785, were collected in Turkey during February and March, 2004, and all 20 were infected with a single species of coccidia, Eimeria serbica. Sporulated oocysts are ellipsoidal, 27.5 x 17.5 (21-34 x 15-20) with a length:width ratio (L/W) of 1.6 (1.4-1.8); they lack a micropyle and oocyst residuum, but 0-2 polar granules may be present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 11.9 x 6.9 (10.5-14 x 6-7.5) with a L/W of 1.7 (1.5-2.1); a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present.

Eimeria species from serows (Capricornis spp.) in Japan with descriptions of two new species.

Fresh fecal samples from 35 Japanese serows Capricornis crispus (Temminck, 1845), and 5 Formosan serows Capricornis swinhoei Gray, 1862, were collected between October 1998 and March 1999. Eimeriid coccidians were found in 12 (34%) Japanese serows and in 1 (20%) Formosan serow. Three Eimeria species were found, and 2 are described here as new. The third species is consistent with the description of Eimeria kamoshika Inoue, 1989. Sporulated oocysts of 1 new species are broadly ellipsoidal, 20.7 x 16.8 microm (18-23 x 14-19 microm) with a length (L):width (W) ratio of 1.2 (1.1-1.4); these lack a micropyle (M) and oocyst residuum (OR) but 1-2 polar granules (PGs) are sometimes present. Sporocysts are elongate-ellipsoidal, 10.5 x 5.9 microm (9-13 x 5-7 microm), with a L/W ratio of 1.8 (1.5-2.4), and have a Stieda body (SB) and sporocyst residuum (SR). Oocysts of the second new species are broadly ovoidal, 28.2 x 22.0 microm (25-33 x 19-23 microm), with a L/W of 1.3 (1.1-1.5), and have a M at the slightly pointed end, but lack an OR and PG. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12.9 x 8.1 microm (11-15 x 7-10), with a L/W of 1.6 (1.3-1.9), and have a SB and SR.