Fine structure of the epicytoplasmic eimerid coccidium Acroeimeria pintoi Lainson & Paperna, 1999, a gut parasite of the lizard Ameiva ameiva in North Brazil

Abstract

An account is given of the fine structure of Acroeimeria pintoi, an epicytoplasmic coccidium infecting the small intestine of the teiid lizard Ameiva ameiva in north Brazil. The merozoite becomes encircled by outgrowths of the host-cell wall which then merge to form a parasitophorous sock in which the parasite continues to develop when this bulges out above the epithelium surface. The account includes a description of merozoites, young meronts and young and mature macrogomonts. The parasitophorous vacuole has a complex tubular system connected to its junction with the host-cell. The parasites are coated with a droplet-like glycocalyx and covered by a fine filamentous layer.