The Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of frogs from Algonquin Park, with descriptions of two new species

Abstract

During June and July of 1988, 264 amphibians from Algonquin Park, Ontario, were examined for eimeriid coccidian parasites; the species examined were Rana catesbeiana Shaw, Rana clamitans Latreille, Rana septentrionalis Baird, and Rana sylvatica LeConte. Two distinct types of oocysts were observed in the feces of the frogs. The highest prevalence of infection was recorded from young adult frogs and two new species of Eimeria are described from these animals. Oocysts of Eimeria algonquini n.sp. are spherical, 15.8 (14.5–16.1) μm in diameter, with a thin single-layered wall; micropyle and polar granule absent; large granular oocyst residuum present. Sporocysts banana-shaped, 19.5 (18.7–20.4) × 4.2 (3.8–4.6) μm with prominent granular residuum; Stieda body absent. Oocysts of Eimeria kermiti n.sp. are ovoid, 25.1 (24.7–26.6) × 19.5 (17.6–20.1) μm with thin single-layered wall; polar granule present; micropyle absent; large granular oocyst residuum present. Sporocysts ovoid, 9.9 (9.3–10.4) × 6.6 (6.0–7.1) μm with Stieda body and prominent granular residuum.