Eimeria pavoaegyptica sp nov (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in faeces of Indian peacocks, Pavo cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 (Galliformes: Phasianidae) from Egypt

Coprological examination of 15 Indian peacocks, Pavo cristatus, revealed the presence of a coccidium species of the genus Eimeria, which apparently represents a previously undescribed species. Sporulation is exogenous and fully developed oocysts of Eimeria pavoaegyptica sp. nov. are ellipsoidal, with a dimension of 15 (13-16) x 12 (10-12.9) mu m and with a shape index of 1.25 (1-1.3). The sporulated oocysts have no micropyle but enclose one large rectangular-shaped polar granule and an oocyst residuum. The oocysts have a distinct two-layered wall, which is similar to 1.7 mu m thick. The outer layer has a smooth texture; it fills similar to(3/4) of the total thickness and appears bicolored. The sporocysts are boat-shaped, of about 10 (9-11) x 4 (4-4.7) mu m; their average shape-index is 2.5 mu m with a small pointed Stieda body and a smooth, thin single-layered wall. No substieda body is detected. The sporocysts contain numerous, nearly uniform granular residua. The sporozoites are banana-shaped, 6 x 3 mu m and each has two different-sized refractile bodies.