New Species of Isospora from the Blue-Crowned Motmot (Momotus momota) from Costa Rica

Abstract

Two (33.3%) of 6 blue-crowned motmots (Momotus momota) sampled from Costa Rica were positive for a new species of Isospora. Oocysts of Isospora momotana n. sp. have a double, thick, yellow to orange, 2.3 microm +/- 0.5 microm (2-3 microm) wall, contain 1 to 3 globular polar granules (1-4 microm), are ovoid with heavy pitting on the outer surface, and measure 29.4 +/- 2.3 x 27.5 +/- 2.3 (25-33 x 23-31) with an average length:width ratio of 1.1 (1.0-1.35). Sporocysts are ovoid, contain a residuum composed of large, equal-sized granules, and measure 19.4 +/- 1.3 x 12.2 +/- 1.1 (16-22 x 10-14) with an average length:width ratio of 1.6 (1.2-1.91). A small rounded stieda body, continuous with the sporocyst wall, and a prominent triangular substieda body are present. A second Isospora species was observed in 1 bird, but because only a few oocysts were present, a full description is not provided. This is the first report of coccidia from a motmot (Momotidae) and only the third Ispospora species described from the Coraciiformes.