Abstract
A light microscope study of the cyst wall of some avian Sarcocystis spp. was undertaken to determine if there were morphological differences in cysts found in different bird species. The cyst wall of macrocysts was different in young and old ducks. Five kinds of microcysts were described from birds, two having smooth outer walls, and three having radial spines on their outer surface. Cysts were differentiated on the basis of the thickness of the outer wall, and on the length and proximity of the radial spines to each other. Specific cyst types were found in several different bird species, and given bird species may harbor more than one cyst type, sometimes concurrently. It is hypothesized that the different cyst types represent different species of Sarcocystis.
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Subject
Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics