Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Subterranean rodent Ctenomys opimus Wagner (Ctenomyidae) from Bolivia, South America

Of 35 tuco-tucos (Ctenomys opimus) collected in Bolivia, South America, 31 (88%) had eimerian oocysts in their feces at the time they were examined. Eighteen (58%) of the 31 infected animals were concurrently infected with 2 or 3 eimerian species. Four species of Eimeria were recovered and are described as new species based on the characteristics of sporulated oocysts. Oocysts of Eimeria granifera n. sp. were ellipsoidal, 21.1 x 17.2 (15-26 x 11-20) µm with sporocysts ovoidal, 11.3 x 7.1 (8-14 x 5-9) µm. Oocysts of Eimeria montuosi n. sp. were spheroidal, 24.2 x 22.0 (21-28 x 18-25) µm with sporocysts ovoidal, 10.5 x 7.3 (8-14 x 6-9) µm. Oocysts of Eimeria opimi n. sp. were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 24.3 x 21.8 (18-29 x 15-26) µm with sporocysts ovoidal, 11.6 x 7.6 (10-13 x 6-9) µm. Oocysts of Eimeria oruroensis n. sp. were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 27.3 x 23.6 (23-32 x 20-28) µm with sporocysts ovoidal, 13.2 x 8.6 (10-16 x 8-11) µm.