The Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of Serpentes, with descriptions of three new species from colubrid snakes

Abstract

Three new species of Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from snakes collected in Texas, U.S.A. Oocysts of Eimeria papillosum sp.nov. were found in Salvadora grahamiae lineata and are cylindrical, 32.0 × 18.0 (28.8–35.2 × 16.0–20.4) μm, with an outer wall studded by numerous papules. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent but a polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, possess a sporocyst residuum, and lack a Stieda body. Oocysts of Eimeria serpenticola sp.nov. were found in Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus and are ellipsoid, 20.3 × 17.5 (18.4–22.4 × 15.8–19.8) μm, with a smooth, thin wall. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent but a polar granule is present. Sporocysts are elongate and possess a sporocyst residuum and Stieda body. Oocysts of Eimeria striatula sp.nov. were recovered from Virginia striatula and are spherical, 12.5 (11.2–15.2) μm, with a thin wall. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent but a polar granule is present. Sporocysts are elongate and possess a Stieda body and few granules within the sporocyst. A table is provided listing the more than 50 named species of eimerians reported to infect members of the suborder Serpentes.