Eimeria minima n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Japanese quail ( Cuturnix cuturnix japonica) in Brazil

Abstract

Oocysts from teces of Japanese quails (Cuturnix cuturnix japonica) were described. Sporulated oocysts were spherical tosubspherical and measured 17.31±1.87 to 16.45±1.72 !Jm in size with shape index 1.05±0.04. The oocyst wall was thin andsmooth, and was consisted of two distinct layer, outside layer was brownish while the inner one was hyaline. Few polar granuleswere present but without a micropyle or an oocyst residuum. Sporocysts were ovoid with 10.43±1.11 to 5.92±0.58 !Jm indiameter. Sporocyst residuum was present with visible granules with tactful Stieda body. Each sporocyst had two sporozoites.For the sake of small size in comparison to the others species found in the Japanese quail, Eimeria mínima was proposed.