Three new Eimeria spp. (Protozoa, Eimeriidae) from muskoxen, Ovibos moschatus , with redescriptions of E . faurei , E . granulosa , and E . ovina from muskoxen and from a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Duszynski, D. W., Samuel, W. M., Gray, D. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1977
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Northwest Territories; Canada; Norway; Christensen; ovibos moschatus; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z77-125; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z77-125

Oocysts of Eimeria moschati sp.n., Eimeria oomingmakensis sp.n., and Eimeria ovibovis sp.n. are described from muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in the United States (Alaska), Canada (Alberta, Northwest Territories, Quebec), and Norway. Oocysts of Eimeria faurei (Moussu and Marotel, 1902) Martin, 1909, Eimeria granulosa Christensen, 1938, and Eimeria ovina Levine and Ivens, 1970 are redescribed from muskoxen and from a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis, from Montana. Ellipsoid oocysts of E. moschati are 17–25 × 15–21 (20.5 × 17.4) μm with ovoid sporocysts 9–12 × 5–7 (10.8 × 6.1) μm. A micropyle, micropyle cap, multiple polar bodies, Stieda bodies, and sporocyst residua are present. Oocysts of E. oomingmakensis are ellipsoid, 38–61 × 28–38 (47.5 × 33.7) μm with ellipsoid sporocysts 18–23 × 9–12 (20.4 × 10.5) μm. A micropyle, Stieda and substieda bodies, and sporocyst residua are present. Ellipsoid oocysts of E. ovibovis are 20–25 × 16–21 (22.9 × 18.8) μm with ellipsoid sporocysts 11–15 × 5–7 (12.7 × 6.0) μm. A micropyle, Stieda bodies, and sporocyst residua are present. Similarities between these six species and all other Eimeria spp. from ruminants are discussed.