Eimeria species from serows (Capricornis spp.) in Japan with descriptions of two new species.

Abstract

Fresh fecal samples from 35 Japanese serows Capricornis crispus (Temminck, 1845), and 5 Formosan serows Capricornis swinhoei Gray, 1862, were collected between October 1998 and March 1999. Eimeriid coccidians were found in 12 (34%) Japanese serows and in 1 (20%) Formosan serow. Three Eimeria species were found, and 2 are described here as new. The third species is consistent with the description of Eimeria kamoshika Inoue, 1989. Sporulated oocysts of 1 new species are broadly ellipsoidal, 20.7 x 16.8 microm (18-23 x 14-19 microm) with a length (L):width (W) ratio of 1.2 (1.1-1.4); these lack a micropyle (M) and oocyst residuum (OR) but 1-2 polar granules (PGs) are sometimes present. Sporocysts are elongate-ellipsoidal, 10.5 x 5.9 microm (9-13 x 5-7 microm), with a L/W ratio of 1.8 (1.5-2.4), and have a Stieda body (SB) and sporocyst residuum (SR). Oocysts of the second new species are broadly ovoidal, 28.2 x 22.0 microm (25-33 x 19-23 microm), with a L/W of 1.3 (1.1-1.5), and have a M at the slightly pointed end, but lack an OR and PG. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12.9 x 8.1 microm (11-15 x 7-10), with a L/W of 1.6 (1.3-1.9), and have a SB and SR.