EIMERIA SPECIES FROM THE EUROPEAN POND TURTLE, EMYS ORBICULARIS (REPTILIA: TESTUDINES), IN GALICIA (NW SPAIN), WITH DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW SPECIES

Parasitological examination of feces from 44 Emys orbicularis from Galicia (NW Spain) revealed the presence of 2 new eimerian species, Eimeria gallaeciaensis sp. n. and E. emydis sp. n., as well as E. mitraria (Laveran and Mesnil, 1902) Doflein, 1909. Oocysts of E. gallaeciaensis n. sp. were found in 20 of 44 (45.4%) turtles and are subspherical to lightly ovoid– ellipsoid, 19.3 × 16.0 (17–22 × 15–18) μm, shape index 1.2 (1.1–1.3), with a smooth, single-layered wall. Micropyle and polar granule are absent, but an oocyst residuum is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, 9.7 × 5.1 (9–10 × 5–6) μm, shape index 1.9 (1.7–2.0), each with a sporocyst residuum and a conical Stieda body usually bearing 1–4 short and thin projections. Oocysts of E. emydis n. sp. were found in the feces of 5 of 44 (11.4%) turtles and are ovoid, rarely pear-shaped, 22.6 × 17.0 (20–25 × 15.5–18) μm, shape index 1.3 (1.2–1.5), with a smooth, single-layered wall with a slight thinning at the pointed end. Micropyle and polar granule are absent, and an oocyst residuum is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, 11.4 × 6.0 (9–13 × 5–7) μm, shape index 1.9 (1.6–2.2), each with sporocyst residuum and a prominent Stieda body bearing 3–5 club-shaped projections. In addition to the new species described, this is the first report of E. mitraria parasitizing E. orbicularis.