Four new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from reptiles from the islands of Seychelles

Abstract

Four new Isospora species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from reptiles collected in Seychelles. Oocysts of I. gardneri n. sp. from Phelsuma astriata astriata, P. sundbergi sundbergi and P. sundbergi longinsulae are ellipsoid, 28.9 (22–31) × 23.5 (18–24) μm with a rough 1.5–2 μm thick wall. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, 14.9 (12.5–17) × 8.8 (8–9.5) μm, with a dome-like Stieda body, globular substieda body and a sporocyst residuum consisting of small granules; and the sporozoites have transversal striations. Oocysts of I. seychellensis n. sp. from 3/7 Mabuya seychellensis are ellipsoid, 19.8 (17.5–21.5) × 15.3 (14.5–16) μm. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid to broadly ovoid, 11.2 (10–12) × 7.4 (7–8) μm, with Stieda and substieda bodies. A sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of small granules; and the sporozoites have distinct transverse striations. Oocysts of I. tigris n. sp. from 1/1 Calumma tigris are ellipsoid, 22.5 (19–24) × 18 (16–20) μm. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid or ellipsoid, 13.6 (12–15) × 7 (6–8) μm, with large Stieda body and substieda bodies. A sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of numerous small granules; and the sporozoites are vermiform with distinct transverse striations. Oocysts of I. ladiguensis n. sp. from Phelsuma sundbergi ladiguensis and P. sundbergi longinsulae are spherical to subspherical, 13.2 (12–13.5) × 12 (9–13) μm, without micropyle and oocyst residuum but with one globular polar granule. Sporocysts ovoid, 9 (8–10) × 5.6 (5–6) μm, with dome-like Stieda and subglobular substieda body; and the sporozoites are vermiform with distinct transverse striations.