Choleoeimeria riyadhae sp.n. [apicomplexa: eimeriidae] from the lizard, scincus [Sauria: scincidae] in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Choleoeimeria riyadhae species new was described from the gall bladder of the lizard, Scincus scincus [Sauna Scincidae] collected from east of Riyadh City, Central Region. Sporulated oocysts are broadly ellipsoid, 36.8x30.5 [33.4-39.1 x 28.7-32.5] micro m, with a smooth, brownish-yellow bilayered wall; the shape index [L/W] is 1.21 [1.19-1.23] micro m. Micropyle, polar granule and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are elongate-ellipsoid, 14.8x9.1 [13.7-15.5 x 8.1-10.4] micro m with shape index [L/W], 1.63 [1.52-1.74] micro m. Sporocyst residuum is present. The sporocysts lack a Stieda body. Sporozoites are banana-shaped blunt at one end and slightly tapered at the other. Sometimes, free sporozoites were seen within oocysts