Eimeria Species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Arctic Ground Squirrels ( Spermophilus parryii ) and Red Squirrels ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) in Alaska and in Siberia, Russia

• Main Authors: Seville, Robert S., Oliver, Clint E., Lynch, Andrew J., Bryant, Michelle C., Duszynski, Donald W.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 2005
• Subjects: Parasitology; Arctic; Arctic ground squirrel; Alaska; Siberia
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/parasitologyfacpubs/146; https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/parasitologyfacpubs/article/1154/viewcontent/Duszynski_2005_JP_EIMERIA_SPECIES_APICOMPLEXA_EIMERIIDAE_FROM_ARCTIC_GROUND_SQUIRRELS.pdf

Fecal samples from arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) collected in Alaska (n = 90) and Russia (n = 46) and from red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in Alaska (n = 35) were examined for the presence of Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). Four species were recovered from arctic ground squirrels, including Eimeria callospermophili (prevalence = 18%), Eimeria cynomysis (23.5%), Eimeria lateralis (19%), and Eimeria morainensis (77%). A single species, Eimeria tamiasciuri (91%), was recovered from red squirrels. Eimerians recovered from arctic ground squirrels represent new host records, and the single species from red squirrels is a new geographic record. Alaskan arctic ground squirrel prevalence was higher for E. callospermophili (Alaska = 22% vs. Russia = 9%), E. cynomysis (34% vs. 2%), and E. lateralis (27% vs. 4%), but not E. morainensis (78% vs. 76%).