Redescription of the oocysts of Caryospora simplex (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from an Ottoman viper, Vipera xanthina xanthina

Oocysts of Caryospora simplex (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from the feces of an Ottoman viper, Vipera xanthina xanthina, from the Atlanta Zoo. Oocysts are spherical, 14.9 (13.5-16.2) µm, with a thick, single-layered wall. A polar granule is attached to the inner surface of the oocyst wall; a micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. The sporocyst is ovoid, 11.6 x 8.9 (10.4-12.6 x 8.1-9.5) µm, with Stieda and substieda bodies. A sporocyst residuum is present in most sporocysts and consists of numerous scattered granules of various sizes. Sporozoites are elongate, 11.4 x 2.3 (9.9-13.1 x 2.0-2.7) µm, and lie parallel to one another and lengthwise within the sporocyst. Four are oriented in one direction; the other four lie in the opposite direction. Each sporozoite contains central and posteriorly located spherical, refractile globules.