Two new species of Eimeria and three new species of Isospora (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) from Brazilian mammals and birds

Abstract

Thirteen "four-eyed opossums", Philander o. opossum, from Para State, north Brazil, were examined for coccidial oocysts in faecal samples. Five were infected with an eimerian, considered a new species, 2 with an isosporan which is possibly I. boughtoni Volk, and 2 with both these parasites. Oocysts of Eimeria philanderi n. sp., are spherical to subspherical and average 23.50 .times. 22.38 (21.25-27.50 .times. 18.75-25.00) .mu.m: single polar body : no oocyst residuum. Oocyst wall 1.88 .mu.m, with mamillated surface and composed of two striated layers, the inner brown-yellow and the outer colourless: no micropyle. Sporocysts average 11.35 .times. 8.13 (10.00-12.00 .times. 7.50-8.75) .mu.m, oval to ellipsoidal, with prominent nipple-like Stieda body: residuum bulky, compact or scattered between two recurved sporozoites. Oocysts of the Isospora sp., close to I. boughtoni initially sub-spherical, 17.92 .times. 16.53 (16.25-20.00 .times. 13.75-18.75) .mu.m: latterly deformed by collapse of the delicate, colourless wall: no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar body. Sporocysts 13.35 .times. 9.88 (12.50-13.75 .times. 8.75-11.25) .mu.m, ellipsoidal, with no Stieda body. Two of 5 "woolly opossums", Caluromys p. philander, were infected with an eimerian considered as a new species, Eimeria caluromydis n. sp. Oocysts spherical to subspherical, 31,83 .times. 31.15 (26.25-36.25 .times. 25.00-35.00) .mu.m: no residuum or polar body. Oocyst wall brown-yellow, 3.21 (2.50-3.75) .mu.m, striated with coarsely mamillated surface: no micropyle. Sporocysts oval, 14.75 .times. 9.69 (12.50-16.25 .times. 8.75-10.00) .mu.m: inconspicuous Stieda body, but a large sub-Stieda body: bulky sporocyst residuum. Two of 12 "squirrel monkeys", Saimiri s. sciureus, showed oocysts of an isosporan considered a new species, Isospora saimiriae n. sp. Oocysts 25.47 .times. 22.19 (23.75-27.50 .times. 18.75-23.75) .mu.m, subspherical to ellipsoidal, no residuum or polar body: wall .apprx. 0.62 .mu.m, single-layered colourless, no micropyle. Sporocysts 15.89 .times. 11.51 (15.00-16.25 .times. 11.25-12.50) .mu.m, ellipsoidal, no Stieda body: bulky, compact residuum lying between 4 recurved sporozoites. Among 18 birds examined, a mixed infection with 2 isosporans, described as new species, was found in one "white-throated thrush", Turdus albicollis. Oocysts of Isospora albicollis n. sp., are oval, 24.53 .times. 20.03 (22.50-27.50 .times. 18.75-23.75) .mu.m, with a single polar body .apprx. 3.00 .times. 2.00 .mu.m, but no residuum: oocyst wall a single, colourless layer .apprx. 0.50-1.00 .mu.m, with a conspicuous micropyle at the narrow end. Sporocysts 16.00 .times. 11.25 (12.00-15.00 .times. 8.00-10.00) .mu.m, ellipsoidal, with prominent Stieda body. Sporozoites strongly recurved and enclosing bulky residuum. Oocysts of Isospora tucuruiensis n. sp., are spherical to subspherical, 17.28 .times. 17.06 (15.00-18.75 .times. 13.75-18.75) .mu.m: single polar body .apprx. 2.50 .times. 2.00 .mu.m. Oocyst wall single-layered, colourless and .apprx. 0.50-1.00 .mu.m: no micropyle. Sporocysts 11.83 .times. 8.36 (10.00-12.50 .times. 7.50-10.00) .mu.m, elipsoidal, with prominent Stieda body. Sporozoites recurved at ends and enclosing a large residuum of granules and spherules.