A New Species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Eastern Woodrat, Neotoma floridana (Rodentia: Cricetidae), from Arkansas, USA, and a Summation of Eimerians from North American Woodrats

摘要

Introduction North American woodrats or packrats (genus Neotoma) are excellent hosts of coccidians and several species remain to be reported as hosts. Eleven species of Eimeria have been previously described from Neotoma spp. However, it has been nearly 35 years, since the last eimerian (E. ladronensis Reduker and Duszynski, 1985) was described from any woodrat species. Methods Six adult eastern woodrats, Neotoma floridana (Ord, 1818) were collected with Sherman live traps from Blue Haze Vista, Polk County, Arkansas, USA. Fecal specimens or rectal contents were examined for coccidia. Measurements were taken on 30 sporulated oocysts and photographs were taken using brightfield optics. Results One (17%) eastern woodrat was found to be passing oocysts of Eimeria machardyi n. sp. as well as three (50%) with Eimeria albigulae Levine, Ivens, and Kruidenier, 1957, and two (33%) with Eimeria glauceae Wheat and Ernst, 1974. We provide a description of a new species of Eimeria from eastern woodrats, Neotoma floridana, the first photomicrograph of E. glauceae, and additional information on E. albigulae. A summation of the eimerians of North American woodrats is also provided. Conclusions Nine of 13 (69%) species of packrats north of Mexico have now been reported to harbor 12 species of eimerians. Additional surveys of Neotoma spp. which have not yet been reported as hosts, particularly those from Mexico and Central America, should yield more eimerians and distributional records as well as the possibility of discovery of new species.