Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the western wattlebird Anthochaera lunulata Gould in Western Australia

A new coccidian species, Isospora lunulatae n. sp., from the western wattlebird Anthochaera lunulata Gould in Western Australia is described and characterised molecularly. Microscopic analysis of a faecal sample identified subspheroidal oöcysts measuring 27–34 × 26–31 (30.6 × 29.4) μm (n = 20), with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.0–1.1 (1.0). Oöcysts have a bi-layered wall, 0.9–1.2 (1.0) μm thick; the outer layer is smooth, representing c.2/3 of total thickness. Micropyle and oöcyst residuum are both absent, but a polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 17–19 × 10–12 (18.3 × 10.7) μm, with a L/W ratio of 1.6–1.8 (1.7) and occupying about 21% of the area (each one) within the oöcyst. Stieda body is flattened to rounded, measuring on average 0.9 × 1.8 μm; sub-Stieda body is rounded to rectangular, measuring on average 1.5 × 2.6 μm; para-Stieda body is absent. Sporocyst residuum has an irregular shape consisting of numerous granules and appears membrane-bound. Sporozoites are vermiform 12.8 × 3.0 μm on average, with prominent striations at the more pointed end and two refractile bodies below striations. Segments of three gene loci (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and cox1) were sequenced and I. lunulatae n. sp. exhibited 99.6% genetic similarity to Isospora phylidonyrisae Yang, Brice, Berto & Ryan, 2021 at the 18S rRNA gene locus, 99.8% genetic similarity to Isospora anthochaerae Yang, Brice & Ryan, 2014 and shared a 98.1% genetic similarity with Isospora manorinae Yang, Brice, Jian & Ryan, 2016 at the cox1 gene locus. Morphological and molecular data support the distinct species status of the new species

Eimeria spp. and Tyzzeria perniciosa Allen, 1936 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from a Pacific black duck, Anas superciliosa Gmelin (Aves: Anseriformes), in western Australia

Four species of the Eimeriidae, Eimeria anatis Scholtyseck, 1955, Eimeria aythyae Farr, 1965, Eimeria krylovi Svanbaev & Rakhmatullina, 1967 and Tyzzeria perniciosa Allen, 1936, were morphologically identified from oöcysts recovered from a Pacific black duck, Anas superciliosa Gmelin. Additionally, genotypic characterization of E. anatis is provided via sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S) genes. The four species are redescribed, providing additional morphological details. The validity of genera and coccidian species parasitizing birds of the order Anseriformes such as Wenyonella Hoare, 1933 and some Tyzzeria spp. are discussed. Molecular phylogenetic analyses for the cox1 and 18S rRNA genes resulted in monophylies of Eimeria spp. from Anseriformes which included the sequences obtained from E. anatis oöcysts

Morphological and molecular description of a new species of Isospora (Apicomplexa) from a New Holland honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)

A new Isospora species is described from New Holland honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae). Sporulated oocysts (n = 25) were characterised as subspheroidal, 29–32 × 28–31 (29.8 × 29.4); length/width (L/W) ratio 1.01–1.02 (1.01). Wall bi-layered, 1.3–1.6 (1.5) thick, outer layer smooth, c.2/3 of total thickness. Micropyle and oocyst residuum absent, but usually two polar granules are present. Sporocysts (n = 25) ovoidal, 18–19 × 12–14 (18.4 × 12.3); L/W ratio 1.42–1.53 (1.50). Stieda body present, flattened, c.0.5 deep × 2.5 wide; sub-Stieda present, rounded, c.2.5 deep × 3.5 wide; para-Stieda body absent; sporocyst residuum present, usually a distinctly irregular body consisting of numerous small granules that appear to be membrane-bound. Sporozoites vermiform, with robust anterior and posterior refractile bodies. Molecular characterization was conducted at the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA and the mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome oxidase (COI) loci. Phylogenetic analysis of genomic 18S and mt COI sequences indicated that Isospora phylidonyrisae n. sp. was genetically similar to Isospora coronoideae, isolated from an Australian raven (Corvus coronoides) in Western Australia, with a 99.3% and 98.4% homology, respectively. The 28S rRNA sequence was most similar to Isospora anthochaerae (KF766053) and Isospora manorinae (KT224381), both with a 98.2% genetic similarity. Based on morphological and genetic data, this isolate is a new species of Isospora, which is named Isospora phylidonyrisae n. sp. after its host

Morphological and genetic characterization of Eimeria chalcoptereae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in a common bronzewing pigeon (Phaps chalcoptera) (Latham, 1790) in Western Australia

A new Eimeria species is described from a common bronzewing pigeon (Phaps chalcoptera) (Latham, 1790) in Western Australia. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria chalcoptereae n. sp. (n = 30) are subspheroidal, 22–25 × 21–24 (23.5 × 22.6) μm; length/width (L/W) ratio 1.0–1.1 (1.04) μm. Wall bi-layered, 1.0–1.4 (1.2) μm thick, outer layer smooth, c.2/3 of total thickness. Micropyle barely discernible. Oocyst residuum is absent, but 2 to 3 small polar granules are present. Sporocysts (n = 30) ellipsoidal, 13–14 × 7–8 (13.5 × 7.2) μm; L/W ratio 1.8–2.0 (1.88). Stieda body present, flattened to half-moon-shaped, 0.5 × 2.0 μm; sub-Stieda present, rounded to trapezoidal, 1.5 × 2.5 μm; para-Stieda body absent; sporocyst residuum present, usually as an irregular body consisting of numerous small granules that appear to be membrane-bound. Sporozoites vermiform, with a robust refractile body and centrally located nucleus. Isolated Eimeria oocysts were analysed at the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) loci. Analyses revealed that Eimeria chalcoptereae n. sp. shared the highest number of molecular features with an Eimeria sp. previously identified from a domestic pigeon in Australia (KT305927-29), with similarities at these three loci of 98.53%, 97.32% and 94.93%, respectively. According to morphological and molecular analysis, the isolated coccidian parasite is a new species of Eimeria named Eimeria chalcoptereae n. sp. after its host, the common bronzewing pigeon (Phaps chalcoptera) (Columbiformes: Columbidae) (Latham, 1790)

Morphological and genetic characterization of the first Isospora species (I. lugensae n. sp.) from a Kerguelen petrel (Lugensa brevirostris)

A new coccidian species, Isospora lugensae n. sp., was described from a single Kerguelen petrel (Lugensa brevirostris). Sporulated oocysts (n = 25) were characterized as subspheroidal to ellipsoidal measuring 24–25 μm × 21–23 μm (24.8 × 22.2 μm) in length/width (L/W), respectively, with a ratio of 1.07–1.14 μm (1.12). They contained a bi-layered wall with a thickness of 0.8–1.2 μm (1.0) and the outer layer smooth, with c.2/3 of total thickness. The oocyst contained two polar granules with both micropyle and oocyst residuum absent. Ovoidal sporocysts (n = 25) measured 15–16 μm × 10–11 μm (15.7 × 10.8 μm) in L/W, with a ratio of 1.41–1.49 μm (1.46). A flattened to knob-like Stieda body was present (c.0.5 μm deep × 2.5 μm wide) as well as a rounded to trapezoidal sub-Stieda (c.1.5 μm deep × 3.0 μm wide); however, no para-Stieda body was detected. The sporocyst residuum was composed of scattered spherules of different sizes, while vermiform sporozoites contained a refractile body, nucleus and visible striations. Analysis of the full-length mitochrondrial (mtDNA) genome revealed 3 protein-coding genes, (CytB, COI and COIII), 18 LSU and 14 small subunit (SSU) rDNA fragments, without transfer RNA genes with a total length of 6257 bp. Phylogenetic analysis of genomic SSU ribosomal sequences indicated that Isospora lugensae n. sp. is genetically similar to Eimeria reichenowi, isolated from a red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) from Japan, with a 96.6% homology. The mtDNA sequence is most similar to Isospora serinuse with a 95.8% genetic similarity. Based on morphological and molecular data, this isolate is a new species of coccidian parasite that to date has only been found in a Kerguelen petrel

Contribution on the study of Isospora hemidactyli Carini, 1936 and a report of an adeleid pseudoparasite of the house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia, from the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region, Brazil Contribuição para o estudo de Isospora hemidactyli Carini, 1936 e relato de um pseudoparasita adelídeo da lagartixa doméstica Hemidactylus mabouia da região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

A description of the coccidium Isospora hemidactyli from the house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia, a very common at dwellings in Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region, was made in this study. Histograms and linear regression were made for this species and determined the homogeneity of these oocysts despite of large range. Besides it, polysporocystid oocysts also were recovered from feces of the H. mabouia house gecko and they were similar to those described previously as the genus Adelina. This species should be parasitizing an invertebrate ingested by house gecko, and for that reason, is a pseudoparasite. Oocysts of I. hemidactyli were subspherical to ellipsoidal, 24.4 × 22.3&#956;m, with single-layered wall and one polar granule. Sporocysts were subspherical to ellipsoidal, 11.8 × 9.8&#956;m with Stieda and substieda bodies, residuum and sporozoites with refractile body. Oocysts of the pseudoparasite Adelina sp. were ellipsoidal, 36.3 × 30.9&#956;m, with bi-layered wall and without micropyle, residuum and polar granule. Eight to 15 sporocysts were presents and were subspherical to broadly ellipsoidal, 12.4 × 11.2&#956;m. Stieda and substieda bodies were absent. Sporozoites present refractile bodies at both ends.<br>Uma descrição do coccídio Isospora hemidactyli da lagartixa doméstica Hemidactylus mabouia, muito comum em residências da região metropolotana do Rio de Janeiro, foi feita neste estudo. Os histogramas e a regressão linear para esta espécie confirmaram a homogeneidade de seus oocistos apesar da grande amplitude de variação. Além disto, oocistos polisporocísticos também foram recuperados das fezes de H. mabouia e foram semelhantes aos descritos anteriormente no gênero Adelina. Esta espécie devia estar parasitando um invertebrado ingerido pela lagartixa doméstica, e por essa razão, é um pseudoparasita. Oocistos de I. hemidactyli foram sub-esféricos a elipsóides, 24,4 × 22,3&#956;m, com parede simples e um grânulo polar. Os esporocistos foram subesféricos a elipsóides, 11,8 × 9,8&#956;m com corpos de Stieda e substieda, resíduo e esporozoítas com corpo refráctil. Oocistos do pseudoparasita Adelina sp. foram elipsóides, 36,3 × 30,9&#956;m, com parede dupla e sem micrópila, resíduo e grânulo polar. Oito a 15 esporocistos estavam presentes e foram subesféricos a elipsóides, 12,4 × 11,2&#956;m. Os corpos de Stieda e substieda estavam ausentes. Os esporozoítas apresentam corpos refrácteis em ambas as extremidades