title: Life cycle and biology of Eimeria lettyae sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (L.).
abstract: A new species of coccidium, Eimeria lettyae sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) was recovered from feces of the northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (L.), from Pennsylvania and Florida. Oocysts measured 21.1 microns (16.4 to 25.8) by 17.2 microns (14.1 to 21.2); index (L/W ratio) = 1.22. Oocysts lacked a micropyle, residuum, and polar granules. Sporozoites penetrated the upper 1/2 of the villi, then moved to the lamina propria at the base of the villi. There were five asexual generations, all of which developed above the nucleus of the host cell. Meronts measured 9.4 X 7.0 microns, 18.6 X 11.2 microns, 11.8 X 10.1 microns, 7.1 X 6.2 microns, and 20.2 X 12.8 microns, respectively. These matured at 32, 40, 48, 56, and 72 hr postinoculation (PI) and contained 12, 50+, 24 to 36, 12 to 24, and 50+ merozoites, respectively. Infection was most intense in the duodenum although some gamonts were found in the ileum and ceca. The prepatent period was 88 to 91 hr PI. Sporulation time was 18 hr at 25 C. The peak of oocyst production was broad and extended from 4 days PI through 14 days PI. Oocysts were passed for at least 67 to 76 days PI. Eimeria lettyae sp. n. did not infect chickens (Gallus domesticus), domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus cochicus), chukar partridge (Alectoris graeca), or Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix). Immunizing bobwhite with E. lettyae sp. n. did not protect against challenge with E. dispersa. Immunizing bobwhites 25 times with 10(2) or 10(3) sporulated oocysts of E. lettyae did not entirely eliminate oocyst production following challenge with the same species.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000635:transmission; D003088:Colinus / Q000469:parasitology*; D003370:Coturnix; D004539:Eimeria / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D011784:Quail / Q000469:parasitology*