Eimeria schmidti n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the sandy fringe-toed lizard (Acanthodactylus schmidti) in Saudi Arabia
Yousif, M.S.; al-Sadoon, M.K.; al-Shawa, Y.R.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 27(2): 465-469
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 1110-0583 PMID: 9257985 Document Number: 477858
Eimeria schmidti sp. nov. is described from the epithelial cells of the gall bladder and bile ducts of Acanthodactylus schmidti (Lacertidae) from the Al-Thomama area in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Five of 25 lizards examined were infected (20% prevalence). Sporulated oocysts are ellipsoid and measure 31.2 x 23.3 micro g (range 26.9-36.4 x 21.2-26.0 micro g). The oocyst wall is smooth, greenish yellow, 1.31 micro g (range 1.16-1.41 micro g) thick and 2-layered. A micropyle, polar granule and oocyst residuum are absent. The sporocysts are ellipsoid and measure 12.6 x 9.3 micro g (range 10.9-14.1 x 7.6-10.0 micro g) and a sporocyst residuum is present. The sporocysts lack a stieda body. Sporozoites are banana-shaped, blunt at one end and tapered at the other end. The new species is compared and distinguished from other Eimeria species from Lacertidae on morphological and geographical criteria.