title: A new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the eastern pipistrelle, Perimyotis subflavus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), in Arkansas.
abstract: During November 2009 and March 2010, 20 adult eastern pipistrelles, Perimyotis (=  Pipistrellus) subflavus, were collected from Polk County, Arkansas, and their feces were examined for coccidian parasites. Two (10%) of the bats were found to be passing oocysts of an undescribed species of Eimeria. Oocysts of Eimeria heidti n. sp. were ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 26.1 × 20.5 µm (23-31 × 18-23 µm), with a bilayered wall, externally rough, internally smooth, and with a shape index of 1.3. Micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a subspherical polar granule was often present. Sporocysts were ovoidal, 13.0 × 8.8 µm (11-15 × 7-13 µm), the shape index was 1.6, a Stieda body was present and sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies were absent. A sporocyst residuum consisting of multiple globules dispersed along the perimeter of the sporocyst and between the sporozoites were present, sporozoites were elongate, with a subspherical anterior refractile body and elongate posterior refractile body; a nucleus not discernible. This is the second coccidian reported from this host and the fourth instance of a coccidian species reported from an Arkansas bat.
authors.affiliation: Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, Oklahoma 75745, USA. cmcallister@se.edu
authors.forename: Chris T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burt
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Seville
authors.forename: Henry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Robison
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D008857:Microscopy, Interference / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D033761:Spores, Protozoan