title: A new coccidian from Acomys cahirinus Desmarest, 1819, from Evolution Canyon, Lower Nahal Oren, Mount Carmel, Israel.
abstract: In 1994, fresh fecal samples were collected and examined for coccidian parasites from 43 spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) and from 60 wood mice (Apodemus mystacinus). The 2 genera of rodents inhabit an area in Lower Nahal Oren. Mount Carmel, Israel, known as Evolution Canyon, which consists of opposite-facing slopes that are geologically identical, but micro-climatically very different. Acomys cahirinus is found primarily on the warmer and drier south-facing slope (SFS), whereas A. mystacinus primarily inhabits the cooler and wetter north-facing slope (NFS). None of the samples from the A. mystacinus contained coccidia, but 6 of 43 (14%) A. cahirinus individuals were discharging eimerian oocysts that we describe herein as a new species. Five of the 6 positive samples were from the SFS. Sporulated oocysts are ovoidal to subspheroidal, 26.5 x 22.9 (21-29 x 19-26) microns, without a micropyle, but with an oocyst residuum of 1 to several large clear globules and a medium-sized refractile polar body; they contain lemon-shaped sporocysts, 10.4 x 8.1 (10 11 x 7-10) microns, with a sporocyst residuum and Stieda body, but no sub-/or parastieda body. Sporozoites lie side by side, completely filling oocysts; each contains a large posterior refractile body.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Couch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blaustein
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Duszynski
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shenbrot
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nevo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002980:Climate; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000145:classification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D009115:Muridae / Q000469:parasitology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*