title: Eimeria galateai sp. n. from the Paradise Kingfisher, and Eimeria duncani sp. n. from the Sacred Kingfisher in Papua New Guinea.
abstract: Eimeria galateai sp. n. from the paradise kingfisher (Tanysiptera galatea Gray) and Eimeria duncani sp. n. from the sacred kingfisher (Halcyon sancta Vigors & Horsfield) have been described from Papua New Guinea. Four of 11 paradise kingfishers were infected with E. galateai oocysts, measuring 13 (11-16) X 9 (8-11) micron. The oocysts were ovoid with nipple-like protrusion at one pole. Micropyle and polar granule were absent, while oocyst residuum (5 X 4 micron) was present. Sporocysts, measuring 5 (4-6) X 2 micron, were elongate-ovoid, and had a distinct convex Stieda body; the sporocyst residuum was absent. Two of 9 sacred kingfishers were infected with ovoid-truncated, 22 (19-25) X 16 (12-18) micron oocysts of E. duncani. Polar granule (5 X 2) was present in the oocysts, but there was no micropyle or oocyst residuum. Sporocysts were ovoid, measuring 9 (8-10) X 5 (4-6) micron, with a prominent Stieda body, and granular sporocyst residuum. Eimeria galateai and E. duncani are the first species of this genus to be described from birds of the order Coraciiformes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000469:parasitology*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology; D009512:New Guinea