Eimeria species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of podocnemis expansa (Schweigger) and geochelone denticulata (LINN.) from Amazonian Brazil (Reptilia: Chelonia)

Abstract

Eimeria lagunculata, Eimeria mammiformis and Eimeria podocnemis n. spp., are described from the faeces of the fresh-water turtle Podocnemis expansa, in Para State, north Brasil. Oocysts of E. lagunculata are ellipsoidal, 19.2 x 12.8 (17.0-20.7 x 11.8-14.1)-mu-m, shape-index (= length/width) 1.5 (1.4-1.7). Oocyst wall about 0.5-0.7-mu-m thick, with a prominent stopper-like micropyle at one pole. No oocyst residuum and no polar body. Sporocysts elongate ellipsoidal, 11.0 x 5.4 (10.4-11.8 x 5.2-6.0)-mu-m, shape-index 2.0 (1.8-2.1): no Stieda body. A compact, ellipsoidal sporocyst residuum lies between the two sporozoites, which possess a posterior and an anterior refractile body. Oocysts of E. mammiformis broadly ellipsoidal, 30.0 x 19.4 (23.0-37.0 x 16.3-21.5)-mu-m, shape-index 1.5 (1.1-1.9). Oocyst wall about 0.7-mu-m thick, with a prominent micropyle: no oocyst residuum and rarely a single polar body. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 15.3 x 7.9 (14.8-17.0 x 7.4-9.6)-mu-m, shape-index 2.0 (1.8-2.2), with a tiny Stieda body. Sporocyst residuum bulky, ellipsoidal: sporozoites with two conspicuous refractile bodies. E. podocnemis has broadly ellipsoidal oocysts, 17.0 x 12.8 (14.8-19.2 x 11.8-14.1)-mu-m, shape-index 1.3 (1.1-1.4). Oocyst wall about 0.5-0.7-mu-m thick, with no micropyle. No oocyst residuum, but always a single polar body. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 9.7 x 5.2 (8.9-10.4 x 4.4-6.0)-mu-m, shape-index 1.9 (1.6-2.0), with no Steida body. Sporocyst residuum bulky, ellipsoidal: sporocysts with 2 refractile bodies. Eimeria carinii n. sp., is recorded from the tortoise Geochelone denticulata, also from Para. Oocysts spherical to subspherical, 19.2 x 18.6 (15.0-20.0 x 14.0-19.0)-mu-m, shape-index 1.0 (1.0-1.1). Oocyst wall about 1.2-mu-m thick. No micropyle. Oocyst residuum limited to a number (about 10-20) of scattered granules: no polar body. Sporocysts broadly ellipsoidal, and with no Stieda body: they measure 8.8 x 7.3 (8.0-9.0 x 7.0-7.5)-mu-m, shape-index 1.2 (1.1-1.3). Sporocyst residuum bulky, spherical to ellipsoidal: sporozoites possess both posterior and anterior refractile bodies.