Morphological and molecular characterization of Eimeria haematodi, coccidian parasite (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in a rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
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Abstract
Eimeria haematodi was first described in 1977 from the rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus
haematodus) in Papua New Guinea. In the present study, we re-describe this coccidian
species morphologically and molecularly from a rainbow lorikeet bird in Western Australia
(WA). The oocysts were ovoid to slightly piriform and measured 28.5-37.8 by 25.8-33.0 µm
(33.3 by 28.1 µm). Oocyst wall was approximately 1.5 µm thick and bilayered. Micropyle
(5-7 µm) and oocyst residuum (8.0-10.0 µm) present; polar granule was absent. Sporocysts
ellipsoidal, 11.8-13.6 by 8.0-9.6 µm (12.2 by 8.3 µm), with thin convex Stieda body
and granular sporocyst residuum (4.0-5.0 µm). Molecular characterization of E. haematodi
was conducted at 18S ribosomal RNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene (COI)
loci. At the 18S ribosomal RNA locus, E. haematodi shared 98.1% genetic similarity
to E. alabamensis from cattle in New South Wales, Australia. At COI locus, E. haematodi
was closest (92.3% similarity) to E. praecox from domestic chickens (Gallus gallus
domesticus) from Canada and China.