Two New Species and Temporal Changes in the Prevalence of Eimerians in a Free-Living Population of Townsend's Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus townsendii) in Idaho

Abstract

More than 1,180 fecal samples were collected from 253 juvenile and 384 adult Townsend's ground squirrels (Spermophilus townsendii) at the Snake River Birds of Prey Area near Boise, Idaho, from February to June 1992. Oocysts of 7 eimerians were observed. Five are new host records (Eimeria beecheyi, Eimeria bilamellata, Eimeria callospermophili, Eimeria lateralis, and Eimeria morainensis), 2 species are described here as new, and new structural information on E. morainensis is added. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria adaensis n. sp. are ovoidal, 19.6 x 22.7 (16-22 x 18-26) microns with sporocysts ellipsoidal 7.2 x 11.9 (6-10 x 9-15) microns. No micropyle or oocyst residuum, but polar bodies, Stieda bodies, and sporocyst residua are present. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria pseudospermophili n. sp. are ovoidal, 24.7 x 28.5 (21-27 x 25-32) microns with sporocysts ellipsoidal 8.8 x 14.2 (8-10 x 12-17) microns. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but polar bodies and Stieda bodies are present. Sporulated oocysts of E. morainensis are more variable in size and shape than originally described and contain 2 distinctly different residua not previously described. Temporal changes in the prevalence of eimerians of all 7 species combined in adult squirrels showed significant decline (r2 = 0.79, P < 0.001). We hypothesize that this decline was due to drought during the period of squirrel activity. No significant temporal change in the prevalence of eimerians in juvenile squirrels was observed. The prevalence of E. callospermophili, E. adaensis, and all eimerians combined in adults was significantly greater than in juveniles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)