Sarcocystis peromysci n. sp. and S. idahoensis in deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Montana

Abstract

Two structurally distinct sarcocysts with thin and thick walls were found in 25 of 98 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Montana. Thin-walled S. idahoensis sarcocysts were seen in 11 mice. Thick-walled sarcocysts were seen in 13 mice. A new name, S. peromysci, is proposed for the thick-walled sarcocysts. Sarcocystis peromysci sarcocysts were up to 1875 × 81 μm and contained 11.2 × 3.1 μm bradyzoites with prominent granules. The sarcocyst wall was 2–5.5 μm thick and had hairlike protrusions on its wall.