SIX NEW SPECIES OF COCCIDIA (APICOMPLEXA: EIMERIIDAE) FROM EAST AFRICAN CHAMELEONS (SAURIA: CHAMAELEONIDAE)

Coprological examination of 83 East African chameleon specimens revealed 32.5% prevalence of coccidian parasites. Six species are described as new: Eimeria tilburyi n. sp. from Chamaeleo jacksonii has cylindrical oocysts, 28.9 (26–33) × 16.0 (14–18) µm and occasionally a small polar granule. Sporocysts are oval to ellipsoidal, 10.6 (9–12) × 7.2 (6–8) µm, without Stieda and substieda bodies; endogenous stages were found in the gall bladder. Oocysts of Eimeria largeni n. sp. from Chamaeleo gracilis are broadly cylindrical, 31.2 (29.5–34) × 19.3 (18.5–20) µm, with 1–3 polar granules. Sporocysts are oval, 10.2 (10–11) × 7.6 (7–8.5) µm, without Stieda and substieda bodies. Eimeria bohemii n. sp. from Chamaeleo melleri has cylindrical oocysts, 25.0 (24–26) × 14.0 (13–15) µm, without a polar granule. Sporocysts are broadly oval, 9.4 (9–10) × 6.5 (6–7) µm, without Stieda and substieda bodies. Isospora wildi n. sp. from Chamaeleo dilepis has subspherical to broadly oval oocysts, 25 (22–28) × 21.4 (18–24) µm, with a smooth wall 1 µm thick. Sporocysts are broadly oval to ellipsoidal, 12.3 (12–13) × 9.7 (9–10) µm, with Stieda and substieda bodies. Oocysts of Isospora necasi n. sp. from C. melleri are subspherical to broadly oval, 26.6 (21–30) × 24.3 (20–27) µm, with a velvetlike wall 2 µm thick. Sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 12.8 (12–14) × 9.8 (9–10) µm, with slightly pointed end and with Stieda and substieda bodies. Oocysts of Isospora muriyu n. sp. from C. jacksonii are spherical to subspherical, 23.6 (21.5–25) × 21.9 (21–23) µm, with a finely granulated wall 1.5 µm thick. Sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 12.4 (12–13) × 8.7 (8–10) µm, with Stieda and substieda bodies.