Two new species of coccidia (A picomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Eumeces fasciatus (Sauria: Scincidae) in Arkansas
Two new species of coccidia were recovered from the intestinal contents of Eumeces fasciatus from Arkansas and are described. Oocysts of Eimeria fasciatus sp.nov. sporulate endogenously and are cylindrical, 34.9 × 16.2 (32.0–36.2 × 15.2–17.4) μm, shape index (length/width) 2.2 (1.9–2.3). Micropyle and oocyst residuum absent; polar granule present. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 12.0 × 8.7 (10.4–13.2 × 8.0–9.4) μm, without Stieda or substieda bodies; shape index 1.4 (1.1–1.5). Sporozoites each contain a single spherical posterior refractile body. This coccidian was found to infect the biliary epithelium. Oocysts of Isospora scinci sp.nov. sporulate exogenously and are subspherical, 26.5 × 24.3 (21.6–31.2 × 18.2–27.2) μm; shape index 1.1 (1.0–1.2). Micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar granule absent. Sporocysts ovoidal, 14.9 × 10.4 (12.0–16.0 × 9.4–11.6) μm, with Stieda and substieda bodies; shape index 1.4 (1.2–1.6). Sporozoites each with anterior and posterior refractile bodies. The site of infection of this species was not determined.