Eimeria gozaishoensis n. sp. from the Formosan serow (Capricornis crispus swinhoei)

Eimeria species from serows (Capricornis spp.) in Japan with descriptions of two new species

Fresh fecal samples from 35 Japanese serows Capricornis crispus (Temminck, 1845), and 5 Formosan serows Capricornis swinhoei Gray, 1862, were collected between October 1998 and March 1999. Eimeriid coccidians were found in 12 (34%) Japanese serows and in 1 (20%) Formosan serow. Three Eimeria species were found, and 2 are described here as new. The third species is consistent with the description of Eimeria kamoshika Inoue, 1989. Sporulated oocysts of 1 new species are broadly ellipsoidal, 20.7 x 16.8 microm (18-23 x 14-19 microm) with a length (L):width (W) ratio of 1.2 (1.1-1.4); these lack a micropyle (M) and oocyst residuum (OR) but 1-2 polar granules (PGs) are sometimes present. Sporocysts are elongate-ellipsoidal, 10.5 x 5.9 microm (9-13 x 5-7 microm), with a L/W ratio of 1.8 (1.5-2.4), and have a Stieda body (SB) and sporocyst residuum (SR). Oocysts of the second new species are broadly ovoidal, 28.2 x 22.0 microm (25-33 x 19-23 microm), with a L/W of 1.3 (1.1-1.5), and have a M at the slightly pointed end, but lack an OR and PG. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12.9 x 8.1 microm (11-15 x 7-10), with a L/W of 1.6 (1.3-1.9), and have a SB and SR.