Sporocyst Residuum Research Articles

Observations on the life history and descriptions of coccidia (Apicomplexa) from the western chorus frog, Pseudacris triseriata triseriata, from eastern Nebraska.

Two hundred and twenty-four anurans of 6 species (47 adults and 16 tadpoles of Rana blairi, 35 R. catesbeiana, 31 Hyla chrysoscelis, 30 adults and 46 tadpoles of Pseudacris triseriata triseriata, 11 Bufo woodhousii, and 8 Acris crepitans) from Pawnee Lake, Lancaster County, Nebraska, were surveyed for coccidian parasites during March 2001 to May 2002. Of these, 23 of 30 (77%) adults and 4 of 46 (9%) tadpoles of P. t. triseriata shed oocysts of Isospora cogginsi n. sp. Oocysts of I. cogginsi were ovoid, 19.3 x 15.1 (18-23 x 11-20) microm, with a thin, smooth, colorless, single-layered wall, with no micropyle or oocyst residuum. Sporocysts were ovoid, 13.3 x 9.9 (11-15 x 9-13) microm, with a thin, colorless, smooth wall, and Stieda body absent. Sporocyst residuum was present, 5.5 x 5.3 (4-7 x 4-7) microm, consisting of numerous granules. Histological examination of frogs and tadpoles infected with the new species revealed endogenous stages including mature meronts, developing microgamonts, mature microgametes, mature macrogamonts, and young unsporulated oocysts located in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of the small intestine. Concurrently, 2 adult P. t. triseriata shed oocysts of Eimeria streckeri. Oocysts of E. streckeri were spherical, 15.7 x 15.4 (14-17 x 14-19) microm, with a thin, smooth, single-layered, colorless wall with an oocyst residuum composed of numerous granules surrounding a large vacuolated area, with a previously undescribed globularlike body present within the vacuole, and no micropyle. Sporocysts were ovoid, 9.1 x 6.1 (7-10 x 5-7) microm, with a thin, colorless, smooth wall with a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. Our results are the first to document infection of adult and tadpole stages of frogs of the same species with the same species of coccidian, indicating that adult frogs may contaminate breeding ponds with oocysts during their breeding season and infect tadpoles directly by the ingestion of sporulated oocysts.

Eimeria species from serows (Capricornis spp.) in Japan with descriptions of two new species.

Fresh fecal samples from 35 Japanese serows Capricornis crispus (Temminck, 1845), and 5 Formosan serows Capricornis swinhoei Gray, 1862, were collected between October 1998 and March 1999. Eimeriid coccidians were found in 12 (34%) Japanese serows and in 1 (20%) Formosan serow. Three Eimeria species were found, and 2 are described here as new. The third species is consistent with the description of Eimeria kamoshika Inoue, 1989. Sporulated oocysts of 1 new species are broadly ellipsoidal, 20.7 x 16.8 microm (18-23 x 14-19 microm) with a length (L):width (W) ratio of 1.2 (1.1-1.4); these lack a micropyle (M) and oocyst residuum (OR) but 1-2 polar granules (PGs) are sometimes present. Sporocysts are elongate-ellipsoidal, 10.5 x 5.9 microm (9-13 x 5-7 microm), with a L/W ratio of 1.8 (1.5-2.4), and have a Stieda body (SB) and sporocyst residuum (SR). Oocysts of the second new species are broadly ovoidal, 28.2 x 22.0 microm (25-33 x 19-23 microm), with a L/W of 1.3 (1.1-1.5), and have a M at the slightly pointed end, but lack an OR and PG. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12.9 x 8.1 microm (11-15 x 7-10), with a L/W of 1.6 (1.3-1.9), and have a SB and SR.

Survey for coccidia and haemosporidia in the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) from New Mexico with description of a new Eimeria species.

Blood films and fecal samples of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) were examined for parasites when we surveyed specimens captured during a radio-tracking study conducted in Chaves County, New Mexico (USA). All birds were captured on the Caprock Wildlife Habitat Management Area, administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Samples were collected in late March, April, and early May 1998-2000. Oocysts were detected in five of 64 (8%) birds sampled and, upon sporulation, were determined to be an Eimeria species. This is the first eimerian reported from the lesser prairie-chicken and is described here as a new species. Sporulated oocysts are ellipsoidal, 27.1 x 22.7 (22-32 x 18-26) microns, with micropyle absent, but oocyst residuum and polar granule present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 11.9 x 7.8 (10-14 x 6-10); a Stieda body, and sporocyst residuum are present, as is a small, indistinct substieda body. Inspection of blood smears revealed four cases of Plasmodium infection of 32 (13%) individuals sampled. The characteristics of this plasmodiid are consistent with the description of Plasmodium (Giovannolaia) pedioecetii, previously found in T. pallidicinctus (Stabler, 1978).

Description of a new Eimeria sp. and associated lesions in the kidneys of double-crested cormorants (Phalocrocorax auritus).

A new Eimeria sp. is described as the cause of an outbreak of renal coccidiosis in double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) in Georgia. Sporulated oocysts were spherical to subspherical and measured 16.1 x 16.5 (13.8-18 x 14-19) microm, with an average length-width ratio of 1:1. Oocyst wall was thin (1 microm), greenish, and pitted on the outer surface. Micropyle, micropylar cap, Stieda body, and polar bodies were absent. Small oocyst residuum (4-8 granules) was usually absent but occasionally present. Sporocysts were oval and measured 6.6 x 9.3 (6-7 x 8-10.5) microm, with an average length-width ratio of 1:1.4. A sporocyst residuum was present, located in between sporozoites, and was composed of numerous granules of unequal size. A small refractile body was present in each sporozoite. Collecting duct and distal renal tubular epithelial cells were distended by large oocysts in their cytoplasm, and many oocysts were present in the lumen of dilated tubules. Various stages of meronts, gamonts, and developing oocysts were present in other renal tubular epithelial cells. Multiple infections of parasitized cells were frequently observed, with cells containing up to 12 gamonts or developing oocysts. The importance of this Eimeria sp. on double-crested cormorant populations is not known. But in this case, significant lesions and mortality were associated with infection.

Eimeria auratae n. sp. ( Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) infecting the lizard Mabuya aurata in Saudi Arabia

Eimeria auratae n. sp. was described from the gall bladder of the lizard Mabuya aurata collected at Al-Hofuf village, eastern region, Saudi Arabia. Morphology of sporulated as well as non-sporulated oocysts were studied. Sporulated oocysts were ellipsoidal 22–31.5×13.5–21.8 (27.7×18.5) μm with smooth brownish-yellow bilayered wall, 1.1 (0.9–1.3) μm. Micropyle, polar granule and oocyst residuum were absent. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal 10.5–12.8×7.5–9 (11.8×8.5) μm. Sporocyst residuum was present but Stieda body was absent. Sporozoites were crescent-shaped, blunt at one end and slightly tapered at the other. Eimeria species from Scincidae were compared.

A description of two new species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from African reptiles with nomenclatural corrections for two Caryospora and one Eimeria species from snakes.

Two new species of coccidian parasites are described from African reptiles. Oocysts of Eimeria foulshami sp. n. from the plated lizard Gerrhosaurus major bottegoi Del Prato of Sudan are ellipsoidal, 24.1 x 14.9 (23-26.5 x 14-17.8) microm with a bilayered, colourless oocyst wall and lack polar granules. The ellipsoidal sporocysts average 8.6 x 4.6 (7-10.6 x 4.4-7) microm and possess a prominent, globular, sporocyst residuum. Oocysts of Caryospora regentensis sp. n. from the Eastern green mamba Dendroaspis augusticeps Smith, 1849 [corrected] of Kenya are spherical to subspherical, 16.8 x 16.4 (16-17.6 x 15-17.2) microm with a bilayered oocyst wall and a single polar granule. The ellipsoidal sporocysts average 13.0 x 10.3 (10.2-14 x 9.2-11) microm and possess a Stieda and substieda body and a prominent globular sporocyst residuum. Oocysts of Caryospora legeri Hoare, 1933 are reported from a hissing sand snake, Psammophis sibilans sibilans L. from Nigeria, representing a new geographical record. The oocysts are slightly larger than the type, but otherwise identical. Caryospora psammophi Bray, 1960 and C. hermae Bray, 1960 from Psammophis sibilans phillipsi, oocysts of which are morphologically similar to and overlap in dimensions with C. legeri Hoare, 1933, are synonymised with the latter species. Eimeria samiae Iskander et Tadros, 1979 is emended to E. samyadeli to reflect the gender of the person the species was named after and because E. sani is preoccupied. In addition to these findings, Eimeria bohemi Modrý, Slapeta et Koudela, 2000 and oocysts of an unidentified spherical Eimieria sp. are reported from Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis Leach from Cameroon.

Descriptions of two new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) and of Eimeria chinchillae-like oocysts from the plains vizcacha Lagostomus maximus (Desmarest, 1817) (Rodentia: Chinchillidae) from Argentina.

Of 163 fecal samples collected between March 1997 and February 1999 from the plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus (Rodentia: Chinchillidae), 19 (12%) were found to be positive for coccidia. All species are from the genus Eimeria and 2 are described here as new. The third species is consistent with the description of Eimeria chinchillae De Vos and Van der Westhuizen, 1968. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria lagostomi n. sp. are ellipsoidal to subspheroidal, 35.7 x 30.9 (26-36 x 30-41), with a length:width (L/W) ratio of 1.2 (1.0-1.3), without a micropyle (M) or polar granule (PG), but with an oocyst residuum (OR) comprised of a round, compact mass of many small granules. The sporocysts are lemon-shaped, 14.2 x 10.2 (9-11 x 11-16), with an L/W ratio of 1.4 (1.2-1.7) and have a Stieda body (SB) and sporocyst residuum (SR). Eimeria vizcacho n. sp. has sporulated oocysts that are subspheroidal, 26.4 x 23.4 (21-27 x 23-31), with an L/W ratio of 1.1 (1.1-1.2), lack an M and OR, but have 1-2 PGs. Sporocysts are elongate-ellipsoidal, 14.3-9.0 (8-10 x 13-15), with an L/W ratio of 1.6 (1.4-1.8), lack an SB, but have 2 SR; the first a small mass of granules lying between the sporozoites in the middle or at 1 end, and the second also of many small granules, always at the opposite end. Sporulated oocysts of the E. chinchillae-like organism are ellipsoidal to subspheroidal, 20.7 x 17.5 (15-22 x 17-24) with an L/W ratio of 1.2 (1.0-1.3), lack an M and OR, but have 0-3 PGs. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 10.7-6.9 (6-8 x 8-13) with an L/W ratio of 1.55 (1.3-1.8) and have an SB and SR.

Eimeria telekii n.sp. (Apicomplexa: Coccidia) from Lemniscomys striatus (Rodentia: Muridae): morphology, pathology and phylogeny.

Using a combination of morphological, life-cycle and molecular data, we describe a new apicomplexan parasite Eimeria telekii n.sp. from a striped grass mouse Lemniscomys striatus captured in Kenya. Oocysts are oval to spherical or ellipsoidal, 20.4 x 15.7 (15.5-25.0 x 12.0-20.0) microm with a colourless, smooth and bilayered wall. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 11.2 x 7.8 (10.0-12.0 x 7.0-9.0) microm with a small Stieda body and granular sporocyst residuum and contain 2 elongated, banana-shaped sporozoites with a single refractile body. Life-cycle, pathogenicity and host specificity of this parasite were studied in laboratory-bred Lemniscomys barbarus and BALB/c mice. Two asexual stages and the sexual phase took place within the enterocytes of the caecum and colon of L. barbarus but not in inoculated BALB/c mice. An infectious dose of 5000 oocysts caused severe clinical illness and mortality in 2/2 (100%) L. barbarus. Phylogenetic analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene of E. telekii and members of the genera Eimeria, Cyclospora and Isospora placed E. telekii within the eimerian rodent clade.

A new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Bali (Rothschild's) mynah Leucopsar rothschildi (Passeriformes: Sturnidae), and comments concerning the genera Atoxoplasma Garnham, 1950 and Isospora.

A new species of isosporan (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is reported from the Bali mynah Leucopsar rothschildi (Passeriformes: Sturnidae). Oöcysts of Isospora rothschildi n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 22.3 x 21.6 (20-26 x 19-23) microm, with a shape index (length/width) of 1.03 (1.00-1.15). A micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but one to many polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 15.9 x 10.6 (15-18 x 9.5-11) microm, with Stieda and substieda bodies and a shape index of 1.50 (1.39-1.65). Each sporocyst contains an ellipsoidal sporocyst residuum, 8.0 x 5.8 (6-11 x 5-8), and each sporozoite contains two refractile bodies. No correlation was found between the presence of coccidian oöcysts in the faeces of some of the birds and Atoxoplasma in blood smears.

Description of Eimeria motelo sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the yellow footed tortoise, Geochelone denticulata (Chelonia: Testudinidae), and replacement of Eimeria carinii Lainson, Costa & Shaw, 1990 by Eimeria lainsoni nom. nov.

Eimeria motelo sp. n. is described from faeces of the yellow-footed tortoise, Geochelone denticulata (L.). Oocysts are irregularly ellipsoidal or cylindrical, with slightly expressed lobed protrusions and irregularities at the poles, possibly caused by wrinkling of the oocyst wall, 17 (15-19) x 9.4 (8.5-11) microm, shape index (length/width) being 1.81 (1.45-2). The oocyst wall is smooth, single-layered, 0.5 microm thick with no micropyle. There are no polar bodies. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 8.9 (7.5-10) x 4.4 (4-5) microm, shape index 2.03 (1.7-2.5). A sporocyst residuum is present, composed of many granules of irregular size. The sporozoites are elongate, lying lengthwise in the sporocysts. Comparison with other species of the genus Eimeria parasitising members of family Testudinidae indicates that the presently described coccidium represents a new species. The name of Eimeria carinii Lainson, Costa & Shaw, 1990 is found to be preoccupied by a homonym, Eimeria carinii Pinto 1928 given to a coccidium from Rattus norvegicus. Therefore, it is replaced by Eimeria lainsoni nom. nov.

Isospora lutrae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), a new coccidium from the European otter Lutra lutra (L.) (Carnivora: Mustelidae) from Spain.

Parasitological examination of European otter originating from Extremadura, Spain revealed the presence of a new isosporan species. Oöcysts of Isospora lutrae n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 31.2 (27.5-32) x 29.6 (28-31) microm and have a smooth wall c. 1 microm thick. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 18.2 (17-19) x 14.4 (14-16) microm and lack Stieda and substieda bodies. A spherical sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of granules scattered among the sporozoites. Sporozoites are spindle-shaped, 12.4 x 2.5 microm and have anterior and posterior refractile bodies. Based on its unique morphologic structure and host, I. lutrae is considered to be new.

Eimeria burdai sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), a new parasite species from subterranean African silvery mole-rat, Heliophobius argenteocinereus.

A new coccidian parasite of the genus Eimeria Schneider, 1875 is described from the subterranean African silvery mole-rat Heliophobius argenteocinereus Peters, 1846. Oocysts of Eimeria burdai sp. n. were subspherical to broadly ellipsoidal 17.8 (16-19) x 14.1 (12-15), with a shape index 1.2 (1.1-1.4). Oocyst wall was bilayered, smooth and colourless, approximately 1.0 thick. Outer layer was significantly thicker than inner one. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent. One or two ellipsoidal or spherical polar granules were present. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal, 10.8 (9-12) x 6.2 (5-8) with a shape index 1.7 (1.5-1.9). Sporocyst wall was single-layered, thin, smooth and colourless, with small Stieda body at the pointed end. In freshly sporulated oocysts, spherical sporocyst residuum was composed of small granules enclosed by a thin membrane. Sporozoites were elongate, lying length-wise in the long axis of the sporocyst, partially curled around each other, with single large refractile body located posteriorly. Faintly distinguishable nucleus was in the central part of the sporozoite. This eimerian represents the first coccidian species described from subterranean African silvery mole-rat (Rodentia: Bathyergidae).

Two new species of Caryospora Léger, 1904 (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) from accipitrid raptors

Two new species of Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from European accipitrid raptors (Falconiformes: Accipitridae). Oöcysts of Carvospora aquilae n. sp. found in faeces of the gold eagle Aquila chrysaetos are subspherical to broad ellipsoidal and measure 43 (40-49) x 37.5 (34-39) microm. Polar granule, oöcyst residuum and micropyle are absent. Each oöcyst contains one spherical to subspherical slightly polygonal sporocyst measuring 23.8 (23-25) x 23.3 (22-25) microm. Stieda and substieda bodies are absent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of numerous small granules less than 0.5 microm in diameter dispersed randomly among the sporozoites. Sporulated oöcysts of Carvospora circi n. sp. from faeces of the marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus are widely oval, measuring 24.5 (23-25) x 21.8 (21-24) microm. A polar granule, oöcyst residuum and micropyle are absent. Each oöcyst contains one spherical to subspherical sporocyst measuring 16.2 (15-17) x 15.6 (15-17) microm. A compact granular, spherical to subspherical sporocyst residuum, 10.4 (10-11) x 8.5 (7-9), was present in 76% of measured sporocysts. In 24% of sporocysts the granules of sporocyst residuum were scattered among the sporozoites.

A new Eimeria sP. from the plumbeous Central American caecilian, Dermophis mexicanus (amphibia: gymnophiona) from Volcán Tajumulco, Department of San Marcos, Guatemala.

Fresh fecal samples from 5 caecilians (Dermophis mexicanus) were collected and examined for coccidia in the summer of 1998. The caecilians were collected in the Department of San Marcos, Guatemala. Two of the 5 (40%) specimens of caecilians contained an Eimeria species that is described here as new. This represents the first coccidia described from a gymnophionian host. Sporulated oocysts are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 19.5 X 17.7 (16-23 x 15-21) microm, micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, and 3 (or more) polar granules are always present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 11.0 X 7.2 (10-12 x 6-9); a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present.

A new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) from the weedy sea dragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Osteichthyes: Syngnathidae).

A new species of intestinal coccidian is described from the weedy or common sea dragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus housed at the New England Aquarium in Boston and at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, USA. Live oocysts of Eimeria phyllopterycis sp. n. are spherical, 30.9 (28.0-34.4) microm, with a thin, single-layered wall. Both a micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent and a large polar granule is sometimes present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and elongate, 24.3 x 10.4 (23.4-25.6 x 9.2-11.2) microm, with Stieda and substieda bodies; shape index (length/width) 2.33 (2.14-2.70). A sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of numerous granules of various sizes. Sporozoites each possess 3 refractile bodies. Preliminary evidence suggests that the coccidian may affect the health of sea dragons; however, it could not be determined whether this parasite caused significant morbidity or mortality.

Eimeria curvata n. sp.(Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in Columbina talpacoti and Scardafella squammata (Aves: Columbidae) from Brazil.

Eimeria curvata is a new coccidian described in the doves Columbina talpacoti and Scardafella squammata from western of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The oocysts are ovoid to ellipsoid, 18.3 (17-19) microm x 15.5 (15-17) microm, with a shape index of 1.2 (1.1-1.3). The wall is colorless, smooth and double-layered. A polar granule is present, but there is no micropyle or oocyst residuum. The sporocysts are elongate, 12.3 (11.5-13) microm x 5.8 (5.5-6) microm with a curved anterior portion and a smooth, thin, single-layered wall. The Stieda body is protuberant and nipple-like; there is no substieda body. The sporozoites lie head-to-tail in the sporocyst and contain a large refractile body at the extremities. The sporocyst residuum contains small granules uniformly distributed in the middle of the sporocyst. The prevalence of E. curvata n. sp. was 17.4% and 12.8% in C. talpacoti and S. squammata, respectively.

Eimeria minima n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Japanese quail (Cuturnix cuturnix japonica) in Brazil

Oocysts from teces of Japanese quails (Cuturnix cuturnix japonica) were described. Sporulated oocysts were spherical tosubspherical and measured 17.31±1.87 to 16.45±1.72 !Jm in size with shape index 1.05±0.04. The oocyst wall was thin andsmooth, and was consisted of two distinct layer, outside layer was brownish while the inner one was hyaline. Few polar granuleswere present but without a micropyle or an oocyst residuum. Sporocysts were ovoid with 10.43±1.11 to 5.92±0.58 !Jm indiameter. Sporocyst residuum was present with visible granules with tactful Stieda body. Each sporocyst had two sporozoites.For the sake of small size in comparison to the others species found in the Japanese quail, Eimeria minima was proposed.

A structural study of the Neospora caninum oocyst

Oocysts of Neospora caninum were collected from the faeces of a dog fed mouse brains containing tissue cysts of the NC-beef strain of N. caninum. Sporulated oocysts were spherical to subspherical, and were 11.7×11.3 μm. The length/width ratio was 1.04. No micropyle or oocyst residuum was present. Polar granules were not present, although occasionally tiny refractile granules were seen among sporocysts. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal, did not contain a Stieda body, and were 8.4×6.1 μm. The length/width ratio for sporocysts was 1.37. A spherical or subspherical sporocyst residuum was present, and was composed of a cluster of small, compact granules of 4.3×3.9 μm, or was represented by many dispersed granules of similar size. Sporozoites were elongate and 7.0–8.0×2.0–3.0 μm in situ. No refractile bodies were present and the nucleus was centrally or slightly posteriorly located. The features of the oocyst of N. caninum are similar to those of Hammondia heydorni oocysts from dog faeces and Toxoplasma gondii and Hammondia hammondi oocysts from cat faeces.

Isospora automoli, a new coccidian parasite (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the buff-throated foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus and the olive-backed foliage-gleaner A. infuscatus from South America.

A new species of isosporan parasite is described from the faecal contents of the buff-throated foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus and the olive-backed foliage-gleaner A. infuscatus collected in the rainforests of eastern Ecuador. Sporulated oöcysts are subspherical to ovoidal, 23.4 x 21.3 (18-28 x 17-24) microns, colourless, with a smooth, double-layered wall with the inner layer darker and thinner; the shape-index (length/width) is 1.1 (1-1.22). Oöcysts contain one polar granule, but lack a micropyle and an oöcyst residuum. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 15.4 x 9.9 (14-17 x 8-11) microns, with a smooth single-layered wall and a small nipple-like Stieda body attached to a small, inconspicuous, acentric substieda body. Sporozoites are vermiform with one prominent posterior, refractile body (c. 4 x 5 microns), and a centrally located nucleus of equal size. Sporozoites are randomly arranged in the sporocysts with a subspherical sporocyst residuum composed of coarse granules.

Two New Species of Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Bearded False Chameleon chamaeleolis barbatus (Sauria: Polychridae) from Cinco Pesos, Pinar Del Rio, Cuba

Parasitological examination of bearded false chameleons Chamaeleolis barbatus freshly imported from Cuba revealed the presence of 2 species of coccidia that are described as new. Oocysts of Isospora chamaeleolidis n. sp. are spherical to slightly subspherical, 16.1 (13-21) x 15.6 (13-19) microm, with a brownish and bilayered wall approximately 1.0-1.5 microm thick; outer layer markedly pitted. 0.75-1.0 microm thick. One, rarely 2, globular polar granules, 1.5 in diameter are present in the sporulated oocysts. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 10.8 (10-13) x 7.8 (7-9) microm, with a smooth, colorless, and unilayered sporocyst wall. Stieda body and substieda bodies are present. A sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of small granules of irregular size scattered among the sporozoites. Oocysts of Eimeria chamaeleolidisbarbati n. sp. are broadly oval, 19.0 (17-21) x 15.7 (15-17) microm, with a bilayered, colorless oocyst wall approximately 0.75 thick; outer layer of oocyst wall is smooth, 0.5 microm thick. One or 2, rarely 4, globular, irregular polar granules, approximately 1.5 microm in diameter, are present in sporulated oocysts. Sporocysts are broadly oval, 7.4 (7-8.5) x 6.1 (5.5-7) microm, with a smooth, colorless, and unilayered sporocyst wall, composed of 2 valves joined by suture; Stieda body and substieda bodies are absent.