A novel Isospora species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from warblers (Passeriformes: Parulidae) of Costa Rica.
Five of 16 (31%) rufous-capped warblers (Basileuterus rufifrons) and 2 of 5 (40%) ovenbirds ( Seiurus aurocapilla ) sampled from Costa Rica were positive for a novel species of Isospora. Oocysts have a thin, smooth, double-layered, colorless wall and measure 22.3 μm ± 1.6 μm × 24.3 μm ± 1.5 μm (19-25 μm × 21-28 μm) with an average length-width (L/W) ratio of 1.0 (1-1.3). Oocyst residuum and micropyle are absent, but 0-4 spherical to cigar-shaped polar granules (1-2.5 μm) are present. Sporocysts are ovoid and measure 11.8 μm ± 0.9 μm × 16 μm ± 1.7 μm (10-14 μm × 12-19 μm) with an average L/W ratio of 1.6 (1.0-1.9). A knob-like Stieda body continuous with the sporocyst wall and a trapezoidal compartmentalized substieda body are present. Each sporocyst contained 4 sporozoites and a diffuse sporocyst residuum consisting of many variable-sized granules, some as large as 2 μm. This is the second description of an Isospora species in New World warblers (Passeriformes: Parulidae) and the first report of Isospora from both the rufous-capped warbler and ovenbird.
Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, and Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602.
Shamus P
SP
Keeler
Michael J
MJ
Yabsley
Henry C
HC
Adams
Sonia M
SM
Hernandez
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D003364:Costa Rica / Q000453:epidemiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D007549:Isospora / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021865:Isosporiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D033661:Oocysts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015995:Prevalence; D020308:Songbirds / Q000469:parasitology*