Coccidian parasites of four Panamanian lizard species

Abstract

Eight species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are reported from Panamanian lizards. –Eimeria randolphi n. sp. is a biliary parasite of –Gymnopthalmus speciosus (Gymnopthalmidae) with cylindrical oocysts, 29.1 × 16.8 μm (25.0–31.5 × 15.0–18.5), an oocyst length/width index (shape-index, SI) of 1.73 (1.46–2.07) and no polar granule or oocyst residuum. Ovoidal sporocysts are 9.5 × 7.8 μm (9.0–10.5 × 7.0–8.5), with an SI 1.21 (1.06–1.43), a sporocyst residuum and no Stieda body. –E. gymnopthalmi n. sp., an intestinal parasite of –G. speciosus, has round to oval oocysts of 22.4 × 20.5 μm (21–24 × 18–23), an SI of 1.09 (1.00–1.28) and no polar granule or oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 8.9 × 7.7 μm (8–10 × 7–9), with an SI of 1.16 (1.06–1.29), a prominent sporocyst residuum and no Stieda body. –E. lepidophymae n. sp. parasitises the gall-bladder of –Lepidophyma flavimaculatum (Xantusiidae) and has cylindrical oocysts of 36.7 × 18.5 μm (34.0–40.0 × 16.0–20.5), an SI of 1.99 (1.79–2.31) and no polar granule or oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 10.3 × 8.8 μm (9.0–11.0 × 8.0–9.5 μm), with an SI of 1.17 (1.06–1.29), a sporocyst residuum and no Stieda body. –E. limifronsi n. sp. parasitises the intestine of –Anolis limifrons (Polychrotidae). Oocysts are oval, 22.5 × 16.0 μm (20.0–26.0 × 14.5–17.5), an SI of 1.41 (1.18–1.73) and no polar granule or oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 8.4 × 7.5 μm (7.5–9.0 × 7.0–8.5), an SI of 1.13 (1.00–1.29), a small sporocyst residuum and no Stieda body. –Isospora limifronsi n. sp. parasitises –A. limifrons and has oval to round oocysts with a rough, pitted wall, 24.5 × 22.4 μm (20–27 × 19–25), an SI of 1.09 (1.00–1.23) and no oocyst residuum or polar granule. Ovoidal sporocysts are 14.7 × 10.2 μm (13–17 × 9–13), with an SI of 1.44 (1.27–1.58), a central sporocyst residuum, Stieda body and a prominent, homogeneous sub-Stieda body. –Anolis limifrons is also parasitised by –I. achiotensis n. sp. The oval to round oocysts are 22.0 × 19.8 μm (20–24 × 18–22.5), with a smooth wall, an SI of 1.11 (1.05–1.25) and no oocyst residuum or polar granule. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 12.6 × 9.5 μm (11–14.5 × 7.5–11), have an SI of 1.32 (1.10–1.60), a small central residuum often hidden by sporozoites, and no Stieda or sub-Stieda body. –I. gonatodi n. sp., from –Gonatodes albogularis fuscus, has oval to round oocysts 23.0 × 21.8 μm (20–25 × 19–24), an SI of 1.06 (1.00–1.16) and a variably present oocyst residuum. Sporocysts, 12.0 × 9.6 μm (10–14 × 9–11), with an SI of 1.25 (1.10–1.44), have no Stieda or sub-Stieda body. A sporocyst residuum comprised of loosely adherent or scattered, irregular granules is present. Panamanian –Gonatodes albogularis fuscus are also parasitised by –I. albogularis.