Coccidia of Brazilian snakes: Isopora decipiens, Eimeria micruri, E. liophi and E. leimadophi spp. n., with redescriptions of Caryospora brasiliensis Carini, 1932 and Eimeria poecilogyri Carini 1933

Abstract

Caryospora brasiliensis Carini, 1932 is redescribed in the snake Philodryas olfersi, from Barcarena, Pará State, north Brazil, with some additional observations on the endogenous stages. lsospora decipiens sp. n., is described from the same snake: it develops to maturity in the subepithelial tissues of the small intestine. The oocyst wall is extremely delicate, and only free sporocysts could be found in the feces. Diagnosis depended on histologic sections. Oocysts are estimated at -18 X 9 um: there is no micropyle, oocyst residuum, or polar bodies. The sporocysts are oval and average 10.03 X 8.15 um; they have no Stieda body, and the residuum is formed of only a few granules. It is suggested that some previous reports of Cryptosporidium in reptiles mar have been based on the separated sporocysts of Isospora species, and that histologic confirmation is required to establish their identity. Eimeria micruri sp. n. was found in the coral snake, Micrurus filiformis, Eram Belém, Pará. Oocysts are of an asymmetrical egg-shape, average 20.20 X 14.90 um, and have a very thin, colorless wall of 1 layer. There is no micropyle, oocyst residuum, or polar bodies. Sporocysts are ellipsoid with a small Stieda body, and average 12.80 X 6.60 um; there is a small sporocyst residuum. Eimeria liophi sp. n. is recorded in tlie colubrid snake Liophis cobella, also from Belém. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, averaging 14.53 X 13.83 um; there is no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar bodies. Sporocysts are ellipsoid and average 10.20 X 5.50 um. They have a delicate Stieda body and the sporocyst residuum is composed of fine scattered granules. A redescription is made of Eimeria poecilogyri Carini, 1933 from the snake Leimadophis poecilogyrus from Serra dos Carajás, Pará. An additional new species, Eimeria leimadophi, also is reported from the same snake. Oocysts are spherical to subspherical, averaging 17.09 X 16.64 um, with a colorless wall of a single layer -0.5um thick. There is no micropyle, and the oocyst has a large, spherical residuum. Sporocysts are pear-shaped, with a prominent Stieda body, and average 12.10 X 5.20 um; the sporocyst residuum is composed of a few small granules.