Echis carinatus [Serpentes: Viperidae] as a new host for Caryospora maxima [Apicomplexa: eimeriidae] in Saudi Arabia

This study represented a new host and geographic location for the parasite Caryospora maxima. Sporulated oocysts of this coccidian are spherical to sub-spherical, 42.8 X 41.2 [40.3-45.9 X 39.6-43.8] mum, with smooth brownish-yellow bi-layered wall, 1.9 [1.5-2.3] mum thickness. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Some oocysts had a small polar granule. Sporocysts are broadly ellipsoid, 22.1 X 16.8 [21.0-23.3 x 15.5-17.4]mum, with a prominent stieda and sub- stieda bodies. Sporocyst residuum is present consisting of many granules in a compact mass. Sporozoites are banana-shaped, each with two refractile globules. Oocyst measurements were similar to those reported from Psammophis schokari in Jordan. Except for the presence of a spherical polar granule, the oocyst morphology was identical to the original description of C. maxima

Eimeria gasperettii N. sP. [Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae] from the horned viper, Cerates cerastes gasperettii in Saudi Arabia

Eimeria gasperettii n. sp. was collected from the gall bladder of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes gasperettii from Al-Thumamah, Central Region of Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts are ellipsoid in shape, measuring 38.8 x 25.5 [29-41 x 17.2-28.4] mum with smooth brownish- yellow bilayered wall, 1.7 [1.5-2.0] mum thick. Micropyle polar granule and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid reaching 13.8 x 9.6 [11-14.5 x 8.0-10.3] mum. Sporocyst residuum is present. The sporocyst lacks a Stieda body. Sporozoites are crescent-shaped blunt at one end and slightly tapered at the other. Eimeria species from Viperidae were compared