The endogenous development, described by light and electron microscopy, of Eimeria jamescooki sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the skink Cryptoblepharus virgatus

Abstract

Eimeria jamescooki sp. n. was recovered from the skink Cryptoblepharus virgatus (Garman) found on the grounds of James Cook University, Townsville (type locality), North Queensland, Australia. Oocysts were 17.5-25.0 (22.1 ± 1.9) × 15-22.5 (17.7 ± 1.6) μm and sporocysts 6.25-10.0 (7.9 ± 1.15) × 3.75-6.25 (5.3 ± 1.0) μm in size. Endogenous stages are described from histological material examined by light microscope and by transmission electron microscope. Both merogony stages and gamonts were found to develop in the cytoplasm of the anterior gut mucosal epithelium. Meront progeny were comprised of 10 to 21 merozoites. Premature macrogamonts were elongate; some host cells contained two elongate macrogamonts. Unique to the presently described species were the Golgi "plaques" and an enclosure of tubuli. Mature macrogamonts and young oocysts ranged in size from 14 × 7 to 21 × 11 μm and contained two types of wall-forming bodies, canaliculi and amylopectin granules. Differentiating microgamonts conformed in fine structure with that observed in other eimerians. Their sizes increased from 15.4 × 4.2 to 28 × 8.4 μm while dividing to over 70 nuclei, which formed a corresponding yield of microgametes.