Eimeria juniataensis sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the Map Turtle, Graptemys geographica, in Pennsylvania

Abstract

Eimeria juniataensis sp. n. is described from the map turtle, Graptemys geographica, in Pennsylvania. The spherical to subspherical oocysts of E. juniataensis are 11.5 to 18.5 mu by 11.5 to 16.5 mu (mean, 13.5 by 12.9mu). The broadly fusiform sporocysts are 7.5 to 10 mu by 4 to 6.5 mu (mean, 8.3 by 5.0mu) and a Stieda body is present. Oocyst and sporocyst residua are present. This is the first report of an eimerian species from Graptemys.

Two new species ofEimeria(Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Asian geoemydid turtlesKachuga tentoriaandMelanochelys trijuga(Testudines: Geoemydidae)

“…In spite of different geographic origin, we include them into the differential diagnosis, to avoid possible conspecificity, potentially caused by the recent extensive international pet trade. Eimeria brodeni and E. delagei are significantly bigger than both our isolates (Labbé, 1893 ;Cerruti, 1930), and E. mitraria is a distinctive coccidium with a unique mitre-shaped oocyst (Laveran & Mesnil, 1902 (Carini, 1942;Ernst & Forrester, 1973;Wacha & Christiansen, 1974Pluto & Rothenbacher, 1976;McAllister & Upton, 1989a). Definitely, E. kachua can be easily distinguished from all above mentioned similar species by its fine membranous structure covering its Stieda body.…”