A protozoologist in Amazonia: neglected parasites, with particular reference to members of the coccidia (protozoa: Apicomplexa)

RESUMO

In spite of the vast source of material available in Amazonia, the extraordinarily rich variety of protozoal parasites in its fauna remains virtually neglected. During some 26 years investigating the role of wild animals as reservoirs of Leishmania, the author has been able to take a brief but rewarding look at other parasites. This review discusses some of the more interesting ones, in particular some controversial, "malarial parasites" of lizards; haemogregarines of reptiles and fish; and a variety of intestinal Coccidia of birds, reptiles and mammals.