470 PROTOZOOLOGY 



Family 4 Eimeriidae Leger 



Macro- and micro-gametocytes develop independently; micro- 

 gametocyte produces many gametes; an oocyst from a pair of 

 anisogametes ; oocyst with variable number of spores containing 

 1-many sporozoites, which condition is used as basis of generic 

 differentiation. Oocysts found in the faeces of hosts are usually im- 

 mature; time needed for completion of spore formation depends 

 upon the species, temperature, moisture, etc. Becker (1934) recom- 

 mends the following bactericidal solutions in which oocysts may 

 develop to maturity: 1% formaldehyde, 1% chromic acid or 2-4% 

 potassium dichromate. 



Genus Eimeria Schneider (Coccidium Leuckart). Zygote or oocyst 

 develops 4 spores, each with 2 sporozoites. Numerous species. A 

 check list of known species has been prepared bj^ Hardcastle (1943). 



E. schuhergi (Schaudinn) (Fig. 215). In the gut of Lithohius forfi- 

 catus; oocysts spherical, 22-25iu in diameter. 



E. stiedae (Lindemann) {Coccidium oviforme Leuckart) (Fig. 

 218, d-k). In the epithelium cf the bile-duct and liver (with white 

 nodules) of rabbits; heavy infection is believed to be the cause of 

 death of young animals, which may occur in an epidemic form; schi- 

 zonts ovoid or spherical, 15-18/^i in diameter; merozoite S-lOju long; 

 oocysts ovoid to ellipsoid, often yellowish, micropjdar end flattened; 

 mature oocysts 28-40^ by 16-25m; sporulation in 60-70 hours. 



E. perforans (Leuckart) (Fig. 218, I, m). In the gut of rabbits; 

 pathogenic to host; oocysts with equally rounded ends, 24-30iu by 

 14-20ju; sporulation in 30-48 hours. 



E. zurni (Rivolta). In the gut of cattle; said to be the cause of 

 diarrhoea; oocysts spherical to ellipsoidal, 12-28/Lt by 10-20ju; sporu- 

 lation in 48-72 hours. 



E. sniithi Yakimoff and Galouzo. In the gut of cattle; oocysts 25- 

 32/i by 20-29m; sporulation in 3-5 da3\s in shallow dishes, and 2 

 weeks in deep dishes (Becker). 



E. ellipsoidalis Becker and Frye. In the faeces of healthy calf; 

 oocysts ellipsoidal, 20-26/i by 13-17iu; sporulation in 18 days. 



E. cylindrica Wilson. In the faeces of cattle; oocysts cylindrical, 

 19-27iLi by 12-15/i; sporulation in 2-10 days. 



E. faurei Moussu and Morotel (Fig. 218, n). In the gut of sheep 

 and goat; oocysts ovoid, 20-40/i by 17-26^; sporulation in 24-48 

 hours. Christensen (1938) recognized 7 species of Eimeria in the 

 faeces of 96 of 100 North American sheep. 



E. arloingi Marotel. In the gut of sheep and goat; oocysts with a 

 cap, ovoid, 25-35/x by 18-25/i; sporulation in 3 days. 



