Coccidian Parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Two Species of Caimans, Caiman yacare Daudin and Caiman latirostris Daudin (Alligatoridae), from Paraguay

Authors

Aida Luz Aquino-Shuster, Ciudad Universitaria, San Lorenzo
Donald W. Duszynski, University of New MexicoFollow

Date of this Version

6-1989

Comments

Published in the Journal of Parasitology (June 1989) 75(3): 348-352. Copyright 1989, the American Society of Parasitologists. Used by permission.

Abstract

From October 1986 to January 1987, feces from 119 Caiman yacare and 12 Caiman latirostris were collected in Paraguay and later examined for coccidian oocysts; 69 of 119 (58%) samples from C. yacare and 3 of 12 (25%) samples from C. latirostris contained coccidian oocysts. Two eimerians infected C. yacare and both are described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria paraguayensis n. sp., are ellipsoid, 34.0 x 23.6 (26-38 x 20-29) μm with sporocysts ovoid, 14.0 x 7.1 (10-19 x 6-10) μm. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria caimani n. sp, are spheroid, 22.4 (19-29) μm with sporocysts ovoidal, 12.9 x 6.5 (8-17 x 5-8) μm. Isospora jacarei infected C. latirostris and is redescribed. Sporulated oocysts of I. jacarei are sub-spheroid, 13.2 x 12.1 (10-18 x 10-15) μm with sporocysts ellipsoid, 10.4 x 5.8 (7-13 x 4-11) μm. To date, members of the Eimeriidae found in Crocodylia include 5 species of Eimeria and 2 of Isospora including the new species described here.