Light microscopic description of Eimeria sparis sp. nov. and Goussia sparis sp. nov. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) from Sparus aurata L. (Pisces: Teleostei)

Abstract

 Two new species of Coccidia, Eimeria sparis sp. nov. and Goussia sparis sp. nov., were found in the intestine of Sparus aurata from different culture systems of Spain. These are the first coccidian species described from this host. E. sparis is distinguished from other Eimeria spp. from Perciformes in the size and shape of the sporocysts, which measure 6–9.7 (mean=7.78, SD=1.33) ×4–6.5 (5.3±0.92) μm, and in the Stieda-like body. Mature oocysts, spherical or subspherical, measure 9.4–14.3 (11.88±1.85) μm. G. sparis differs from other Goussia spp. from fish of the Mediterranean area in the size and shape of the oocysts and sporocysts as well as in the location. Mature oocysts measure 16–21 (17.4±1.5)×13–18 (14.4±1.7) μm and sporocysts, 8.6–10.3 (9.5±0.5)× 5.7–7.4 (mean 6.5±0.5) μm. The different stages of merogony, gamogony, and sporogony of both species were examined at the light-microscope level in fresh material and histology specimens. Sporulation was endogenous in E. sparis and exogenous in G. sparis.