Descriptions of two new species of coccidia (Protozoa : Eimeriidae) and redescriptions of Eimeria ivensae and Eimeria odocoilei from captive white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus

Abstract

Two new species of Eimeria were observed in the feces of captive white-tailed deer fawns, Odocoileus virginianus, from Alabama. The first new species was easily recognized because of its small size. Sporulated oocysts are spherical, average 10.2 by 10.0 mu m, and lack a micropyle and oocyst residuum. Oocysts contain a polar granule and elongare-ellipsoidal sporocysts that measure 6.7 by 3.1 mu m. A Stieda body is present on the sporocysts. Oocysts were observed in the feces, and gamonts and oocysts were observed in the jejunum of a month-old fawn from Minnesota that died from enteritis due to this species. Oocysts of this small species were present in 5 of the 6 white-tailed deer fawns examined. Oocysts of a second new species are ellipsoidal and average 29.5 by 24.6 mu m. The oocyst encloses an oocyst residuum, polar granule, and elongate-ellipsoidal sporocysts that average 16.0 by 9.0 mu m. A Stieda body and substieda body are present an the sporocysts. Oocysts of the second new species were present in 4 of the 6 white-tailed deer fawns examined. Oocysts of E. ivensae are ovoid or flask-like and average 32.0 by 20.8 mu m The oocyst wall is rough, contains a micropyle, and encloses elongate-ellipsoidal sporocysts that average 16.5 by 7.8 8.8 mu m A Stieda body is present on the sporocysts. Oocysts of E. ivensae were present in 4 of the 6 white-tailed deer fawns. Oocysts of E. odocoilei are spherical or slightly subspherical and measure 24.7 by 21.5 mu m. They enclose ovoid sporocysts that average 12.7 by 8.8 mu m. A Stieda and substieda body are present on the sporocyst. Oocysts of E. odocoilei were present in 4 of the 6 white-tailed deer fawns.