Description of Caryospora colubris sp.n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the western whip snake, Coluber viridiflavus (Serpentes: Colubridae)
A new coccidian parasite of the genus Caryospora is described from the western whip snake (Coluber viridiflavus). The size of the spherical to slightly subspherical oocysts from Caryospora colubris n.sp. range from 16.2 to 27.9 μm and do not possess micropyle or oocyst residuum. The ovoid sporocysts are 13.2–19.1 μm long and 10.3–14.7 μm wide. The sporocyst residuum and a distinct Stieda body are present. The oocyst wall is approximately 1 μm thick. The sporulation is completed in about 48–72 h at 23 ± 2 °C. Within the given range the oocysts could be subdivided into three categories of size as follows. The predominating part of oocysts measured ca. 25.7 (23.5–27.9) μm, while usually less than 10% were 20.8 (20.6–22.1) μm or 17.4 (16.2–18.2) μm. The corresponding measurements of sporocysts were 17.9 (17.6–19.1) × 12.7 (11.8–14.7) μm; 15.0 (14.7–16.2) × 11.8 and 14.5 (13.2–14.7) × 11.0 (10.3–11.8) μm.