The Eimeriidae (Apicomplexa) of raptors: review of the literature and description of new species of the genera Caryospora and Eimeria

Abstract

Four new species of Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are reported from North American raptors. Caryospora kansasensis sp.nov., in the feces of Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni, has ovoid oocysts which measure 37.2 × 32.6 (32.8–40.0 × 29.6–36.0) μm. Caryospora lindsayi sp.nov., from the red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, has subspherical oocysts measuring 33.7 × 31.6 (31.2–36.0 × 30.4–32.8) μm. Eimeria megabubonis sp.nov. from the feces of the great horned owl, Bubo virginianus, has ovoid oocysts measuring 32.7 × 28.9 (28.8–36.0 × 27.2–32.0) μm. Eimeria varia sp.nov., from the barred owl, Strix varia, measures 33.1 × 30.5 (31.2 × 36.0 × 28.0–32.0) μm. In addition to the above new species, Caryospora arcayae Volcań and Medrano, 1984 is recorded for the first time from North America and is redescribed from a new host, the broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus. Oocysts of Caryospora uptoni and Eimeria bubonis, as well as sporocysts of Sarcocystis/Frenkelia spp., were also found. A table is provided listing key features of the known species of Caryospora and Eimeria of raptors.