Abstract
The presented paper provides a reclassification of Eimeria pogonae from Pogona vitticeps into the correct genus Choleoeimeria. A description of exogenous and endogenous stages of biliary coccidium is given. Sporulation of the oocysts was endogenous. The mature oocysts contained four sporocysts each with two sporozoites. Oocysts were ellipsoidal in shape, with average length/width ratio 1.7 and measured 28.4 (SD1.5) × 16.8 (SD 1.5). The micropyle, residuum, and polar granules were absent from the sporulated oocysts. Ovoidal in shape, sporosysts without Steida bodies contained residuum and two elongated and boat-shaped sporozoites. The endogenous stages of the coccidia were located mainly in the epithelium of bile ducts; however, single-epithelium cells of the gallbladder were also infected.
Highlights
One of the most popular lizards kept individually as an exotic pet is the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Recent studies on endogenous development, sporocyst excystation structures as well as molecular analysis all lead to a reclassification of some reptilian coccidia (Paperna 2007)
All tetrasporic dizoic coccidia parasitizing reptilian hosts have been split into three genera: Eimeria, Acroeimeria and Choleoeimeria (Tenter et al 2002; Lainson and Paperna 1999)
Summary
One of the most popular lizards kept individually as an exotic pet is the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). This is a species native to Central Australia, widely available in world pet trade. Isospora amphiboluri is a parasite with relatively strict host specificity for the Australian agamid lizard from the genus Pogona, reported in both wild and captive populations. This species was first described by Cannon (1967), in Pogona barbata, and re-described by McAllister et al (1995) in P. vitticeps. In the whole life cycle of the endogenous stage, this parasite appears to be limited to the epithelial cells of the intestine
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