A New Eimerian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica (Aves: Passeriformes: Hirundinidae), in Southeastern Oklahoma: The Fourth Eimerian Species from New World Passeriformes. 2019

Chris T McAllister, and John A Hnida
Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, Oklahoma 74745.

Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) are the most widespread swallow species in the world. However, little is known about the coccidian parasites of H. rustica. Feces from a single H. rustica nesting in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, were collected in May 2018 and examined for coccidia; the swallow was found to be passing a new species of Eimeria. Oocysts of Eimeria hochatownensis n. sp. are ellipsoidal with a smooth bi-layered wall, measure (L × W) 25.5 × 15.2 μm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.7; a micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but polar granule(s) are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 12.8 × 6.5 μm, L/W 2.0; a nipple-like Stieda body is present, but sub-Stieda bodies and para-Stieda bodies are absent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of a compact spheroid with a dense, irregular mass of finer granules lying between and dispersed among the sporozoites. This is the first eimerian reported from H. rustica and the family Hirundinidae, and only the fourth Eimeria spp. known from passerine birds of the New World.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009825 Oklahoma State bounded on the north by Kansas, on the east by Missouri and Arkansas, on the south by Texas, and on the west by New Mexico.
D003048 Coccidiosis Protozoan infection found in animals and man. It is caused by several different genera of COCCIDIA. Besnoitiasis,Besnoitiosis,Besnoitiases,Besnoitioses,Coccidioses
D004539 Eimeria A genus of protozoan parasites of the subclass COCCIDIA. Various species are parasitic in the epithelial cells of the liver and intestines of man and other animals. Eimerias
D005243 Feces Excrement from the INTESTINES, containing unabsorbed solids, waste products, secretions, and BACTERIA of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001715 Bird Diseases Diseases of birds not considered poultry, therefore usually found in zoos, parks, and the wild. The concept is differentiated from POULTRY DISEASES which is for birds raised as a source of meat or eggs for human consumption, and usually found in barnyards, hatcheries, etc. Avian Diseases,Avian Disease,Bird Disease,Disease, Avian,Disease, Bird,Diseases, Avian,Diseases, Bird
D046388 Swallows The family Hirundinidae, comprised of small BIRDS that hunt flying INSECTS while in sustained flight. Hirundinidae,Barn Swallow,Barn Swallows,Swallow, Barn,Swallows, Barn
D033661 Oocysts Zygote-containing cysts of sporozoan protozoa. Further development in an oocyst produces small individual infective organisms called SPOROZOITES. Then, depending on the genus, the entire oocyst is called a sporocyst or the oocyst contains multiple sporocysts encapsulating the sporozoites. Sporocysts,Oocyst,Sporocyst

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