title: Redescription of Eimeria dorcadis Mantovani, 1966 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: Eimeria dorcadis Mantovani, 1966 is redescribed from dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas (L.)) from Saudi Arabia. Oocysts were detected in 7 out of 22 faecal samples (32%) using floatation method. The sporulated oocysts are cylindrical, slightly flattened at the micropylar pole, measure in average 32 x 19 microm (27-36 x 16-24 microm), length/width ratio being 1.7 (1.5-2.1). Oocyst wall is 1.2 microm thick, smooth, double-layered; outer layer is slightly thicker, light blue in colour; inner layer brownish, with micropyle in the inner layer and apparently continual outer one, measures 2.2 microm, but lacks a micropylar cap. The sporocyst elongate-ellipsoidal, measures 14 x 8 microm (12-17 x 6-9 microm), length/width ratio being 1.8, with sporocyst residuum as circular compact, coarse, refractile granules. Stieda body is present, while substieda body is absent. Sporozoites banana-shaped, measure 11 x 2.5 microm, each with a large spheroidal refractile body at the wider pole. Sporulation time is 2-3 days at 25 +/- 2 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: KSU Mammals Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. obmkkwrc@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Osama B
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Abdulaziz N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Alagaili
authors.forename: Sawsan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Omer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes / Q000469:parasitology*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D033661:Oocysts / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D034101:Sporozoites / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development