Morphological and molecular description of a novel species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa) that infects extraintestinal tissues of kiwi (Aves: Apteryx spp.).

ABSTRACT: Coccidia (Apiconmplexa) are naturally occurring and occasionally detrimental parasites of kiwi (Apteryx spp.), a unique, flightless bird species dependent upon conservation efforts for survival. Using morphological and molecular data, a new coccidia species, Eimeria koka n. sp., isolated from two closely related but geographically isolated kiwi host species, Apteryx rowi Tennyson et al. (rowi) and Apteryx mantelli Bartlett (North Island brown kiwi), is described. Oocysts are oval (20.8 × 15.9 μm) with a mean L/W ratio of 1.3, and a distinctive rough, crenellated brown oocyst wall (mean 1.2 μm), an oocyst residuum, 1-2 polar granules, and no micropyle. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal (11.6 × 6.3 μm) with a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome C oxidase subu

SUBMITTER: Scheltema E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11982086 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature