title: Eimeria hajeki n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), a new coccidian parasite of the pygmy chameleon, Rampholeon temporalis (Matschie, 1892) (Reptilia: Chamaeleonidae) from Usambara Mountains, Tanzania.
abstract: Fecal samples from 10 pygmy chameleons, Rampholeon temporalis (Matschie, 1892), an endemic species of the Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania, were examined for coccidian parasites. Two (20%) chameleons were found to be passing oocysts of Eimerio Schneider. Comparison with other species of Eimeria indicates that the coccidian found represents a new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria hajeki n. sp. are oval, 30.2 (29-31) by 23.5 (22-25) microm, with a shape index (length/width) of 1.3 (1.2-1.4) and a 2-microm-thick rough, bilayered wall. Micropyle and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are oval to rhomboidal, 10.8 (9-11.5) by 8.8 (7.5-10) microm, with a shape index of 1.2 (1.15-1.3) and a wall composed of 2 valves joined by a suture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Modrý
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Slapeta
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koudela
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004539:Eimeria / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008116:Lizards / Q000469:parasitology*; D008857:Microscopy, Interference; D013636:Tanzania