Two New Species of Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Madagascar Gekkonids

ABSTRACT Two new species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from the Madagascar giant day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis, and the Golddust day gecko, P. laticauda. Both species of coccidia were found to infect the anterior one‐half of the small intestine. Oocysts of Eimeria brygooi n. sp. are spherical or subspherical, 23.0 × 21.3 (18.8–25.2 × 16.4–23.2) μm; shape index (L/W) 1.1 (1.0–1.2). A micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid, 9.2 × 7.9 (8.0–10.0 × 7.2–8.8) μm; shape index 1.2 (1.0–1.3), with a Goussia‐type suture; Stieda and substieda bodies are absent. A sporocyst residuum is present, 4.2 × 3.0 (3.2–6.4 × 2.4–4.0) μm. Sporozoites are elongate, with anterior and posterior refractile bodies. This coccidian was found to infect five of six (83%) P. m. grandis and one of five (20%) P. laticauda examined. Oocysts of Isospora gekkonis n. sp. are spherical or subspherical, 24.2 × 22.0 (21.6–26.4 × 20.0–23.6) μm; shape index 1.1 (1.0–1.2). A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent; polar granule present. Sporocysts are ovoid, 12.2 × 9.4 (11.2–12.8 × 8.4–10.0) μm, with Stieda and substieda bodies; shape index 1.3 (1.2–1.4). A sporocyst residuum is present, cither compact, 5.1 × 4.2 (4.0–7.2 × 3.2–5.6) μm or diffuse. Sporozoites arc elongate, with anterior and posterior refractile bodies. Isospora gekkonis was found in two of six (33%) P. m. grandis and one of five (20%) P. laticauda. In addition, oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. were found in the cloacas of two of six (33%) necropsied P. m. grandis.