Eimeria trichechi n.sp. from the Amazonian manatee, Trichechus inunguis (Mammalia: Sirenia)

Abstract

Eimeria trichechi n.sp. is described and figured from the manatee, Trichechus inunguis, from Amazonas State, north Brazil. Undifferentiated oocysts are passed in the faeces and complete their sporulation in ~36h at 24 to 24ºC. Oocysts are spherical, with a mean size of 13.40 X 13.30 µm. The wall is uni-layered, smooth, colourless and ~0.5 µm thick; there is no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar body. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, with a men size of 8.65 X 4.62 µm. The sporozoites are longer than the sporocyst and recurved at their ends: there is a sporocysts residuum of fine granules, but no visible steida body.