Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the subterranean rodent Ctenomys opimus Wagner (Ctenomyidae) from Bolivia, South America.
Of 35 tuco-tucos (Ctenomys opimus) collected in Bolivia, South America, 31 (88%) had eimerian oocysts in their feces at the time they were examined. Eighteen (58%) of the 31 infected animals were concurrently infected with 2 or 3 eimerian species. Four species of Eimeria were recovered and are described as new species based on the characteristics of sporulated oocysts. Oocysts of Eimeria granifera n. sp. were ellipsoidal, 21.1 x 17.2 (15-26 x 11-20) micron with sporocysts ovoidal, 11.3 x 7.1 (8-14 x 5-9) micron. Oocysts of Eimeria montuosi n. sp. were spheroidal, 24.2 x 22.0 (21-28 x 18-25) micron with sporocysts ovoidal, 10.5 x 7.3 (8-14 x 6-9) micron. Oocysts of Eimeria opimi n. sp. were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 24.3 x 21.8 (18-29 x 15-26) micron with sporocysts ovoidal, 11.6 x 7.6 (10-13 x 6-9) micron. Oocysts of Eimeria oruroensis n. sp. were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 27.3 x 23.6 (23-32 x 20-28) micron with sporocysts ovoidal, 13.2 x 8.6 (10-16 x 8-11) micron.
Lambert
C R
CR
Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131.
Gardner
S L
SL
Duszynski
D W
DW
D000818:Animals; D001838:Bolivia; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology