A New Species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) from the Weedy Sea Dragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Osteichthyes: Syngnathidae)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-25-2000
Department
Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Abstract
A new species of intestinal coccidian is described from the weedy or common sea dragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus housed at the New England Aquarium in Boston and at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, USA. Live oocysts of Eimeria phyllopterycis sp. n. are spherical, 30.9 (28.0-34.4) Fun, with a thin, single-layered wall. Both a micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent and a large polar granule is sometimes present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and elongate, 24.3 x 10.4 (23.4-25.6 x 9.2-11.2) mum, with Stieda and substieda bodies; shape index (length/width) 2.33 (2.14-2.70). A sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of numerous granules of various sizes. Sporozoites each possess 3 refractile bodies. Preliminary evidence suggests that the coccidian may affect the health of sea dragons; however, it could not be determined whether this parasite caused significant morbidity or mortality.
Publication Title
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
Volume
43
Issue
1
First Page
55
Last Page
59
Recommended Citation
Upton, S. J.,
Stamper, M. A.,
Osborn, A. L.,
Mumford, S. L.,
Zwick, L.,
Kinsel, M. J.,
Overstreet, R. M.
(2000). A New Species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) from the Weedy Sea Dragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Osteichthyes: Syngnathidae). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 43(1), 55-59.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/4078