Observations on a new species of Monocystis Stein, 1848 (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Monocystidae) Monocystis levinei sp. nov. from an Indian earthworm (Annelida: Oligochaeta) Eutyphoeus incommo-dus

Abstract

Surveys of acephaline gregarines infesting earthworms from Kalyani of Nadia districts of West Bengal, India revealed the occurrence of a new species of Monocystis Stein, 1848. Monocystis levinei sp. nov., found in the coelomic fluid of the earthworm. Trophozoites of M. levinei sp. nov. are elongated in shape, 145.0–175.0 (163.0±1.5) µm x 18.0–43.0 (29.0±1.1) µm with a prominent taillike protrusion at the posterior end, measuring 7.0–10.0 (7.9±7.9) µm x 1.5–3.1 (1.8±2.1) µm and rounded nucleus, measuring 14.2–26.3 (22.3±7.3) µm x 18.4–30.5 (26.4±2.6) µm. Gametocysts are ovoid in shape ranging from 130.0–163.0 (152.0± 0.4) µm, whereas oocysts are navicular in shape, ranging in size from 8.9–12.0 (10.4±1.0) µm x 5.2–7.3 (6.9±0.5) µm.