Gary A. Averbeck

Prevalence of Hematozoans in Lions (Panthera leo) and Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Lions (Panthera leo) and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) from the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania were examined for the presence of blood protozoans. Twenty-eight percent of the lions were infected with Trypanosoma sp. and the prevalence of trypanosome infection varied significantly between adjacent habitats. All of the animals were infected with Hepatozoon sp. and a Theileria sp.-like piroplasm that was morphologically indistinguishable from Theileria felis.

Parasites and parasite stages of free-ranging wild lions (Panthera leo) of northern Tanzania.

Abstract Fecal samples from 33 lions (Panthera leo) in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area in northern Tanzania contained 19 different parasites, 12 of which, including Aelurostrongylus sp., a species of Acanthocephala, a species of Anoplocephalidae, Capillaria sp., Demodex sp., Eimeria sp., Habronema sp., Isospora felis, Isospora rivolta, one species of Isospora that was previously undescribed from lions, one species of Trematoda that was previously undescribed from lions, and Trichuris sp., were new reports for lions. Seven other species had been previously reported from lions.

Coprological Surveys of Alouatta pigra at Two Sites in Belize

Fecal samples were collected from black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in north central Belize and analyzed for evidence of endoparasite life stages. At least six types of endoparasites were found in Alouatta pigra fecal samples collected in the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve and the Community Baboon Sanctuary in 1999. These include a digenean trematode, an oxyurid nematode, a strongyle-type nematode, an ascarid presumed to be Ascaris sp., Entamoeba coli and Iodamoeba bütschlii. Higher trematode prevalence was found in adult Alouatta pigra compared to juveniles and higher prevalence of nematode larvae in all animals was found in the wet season compared to the dry season.

Cerebral cysticercosis by Taenia crassiceps in a domestic cat

Cerebral cysticercosis by Taenia crassiceps was diagnosed in an adult female domestic shorthair cat. The animal was euthanized 6 weeks after the initial presentation with signs of vomiting, lethargy, and ataxia. The disease took an intermittent relapsing course with the neurological signs progressing eventually to recumbancy and coma. At necropsy, numerous cysticerci were found in the dilated left lateral ventricle and the adjacent brain parenchyma. The cysticerci were identified as metacestodes of T. crassiceps larvae based on size and morphology of the cysts; shape, number, and size of the rostellar hooks; and mode of proliferation, including endogenous and exogenous budding. Cerebral cysticercosis by T. crassiceps is rare in atypical intermediate hosts and has not been described in cats.

Renal infection by a new coccidian genus in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus).

Abstract A novel coccidian parasite from the kidney of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) is described. This coccidian (Nephroisospora eptesici nov. gen., n. sp.) was associated with a generally mild, focal or multifocal, well-demarcated cortical renal lesion less than 1 mm in diameter. The lesion represented cystic, dilated tubules with hypertrophied tubular epithelial cells and was present in the kidneys of 29 of 590 bats. Numerous coccidian parasites in various stages of development were present within the tubular epithelial cells and within the cyst lumina. Oocysts were collected from cystic dilated tubules. Thin-walled, sporulated ellipsoidal oocysts measuring an average of 18.9 × 20.8 µm were present in kidney tissue. The oocysts contained 2 sporocysts with 4 sporozoites. A polar body and a prominent oocyst residuum were present in the oocysts, but no micropyle, sporocyst residuum, or Stieda bodies were detected. Analysis of the 18S rRNA gene sequence put the parasite in the Sarcocystidae. The parasite is closely related to Besnoitia, Hammondia, Neospora, and Toxoplasma. Ultrastructural features, such as the presence of an apical complex in merozoites, support the identification of a coccidian. A new genus and species, Nephroisospora eptesicii, is proposed for this unusual coccidian in which the entire cycle is completed in the kidney of a single host; it has a membrane-like oocyst wall, sporogony occurs in the host rather than in the abiotic environment, and the positioning of the parasite by nucleic acid sequence indicates it to be closely allied to Sarcocystis and Besnoitia.

EXOGENOUS STAGES OF EIMERIA BEMRICKI N. SP. (APICOMPLEXA: EIMERIIDAE) FROM THE GREAT GRAY OWL, STRIX NEBULOSA (FOSTER)

Exogenous stages of a new species of Eimeria are described from feces of a captive great gray owl, Strix nebulosa, held at the Gabbert Raptor Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. Oocysts (n = 100) of Eimeria bemricki are spherical to subspherical, 19.2 x 19.0 (21.5-16.0 x 21.0-16.0) microm, with ovoidal sporocysts (n = 100), 10.0 x 6.5 (12.0-7.0 x 7.0-5.5) microm and sporozoites (n = 20), 8.2 x 3.2 (6.8-10.1 x 2.5-3.9) microm. Stieda bodies, substieda bodies, polar bodies, and sporocyst residua are present, but micropyle, oocyst residuum, and parastieda bodies are absent. Three refractile bodies are contained in each sporozoite.

Survey of Pulmonate Snails of Central Minnesota. I. Lymnaeidae

ABSTRACT Aquatic snails were collected at 148 sites from various wetland habitats in central Minnesota between May and September, 1988. Ten lymnaeid species were collected, including Lymnaea palustris, L. stagnalis, L. exilis, L. caperata, L. catascopium, L. megasoma, L. (Fossaria) modicella, L. (F.) parva, L. (E.) bulimoides, and L. (F.) dalli. These species were found at 30-, 18-, 15, 12-, 11-, 7-, 20-, 9-, 1.4-, and 0.7% of the collection sites, respectively. Lymnaeids were found most frequently in still water of near neutral pH with a small particle size substrate. However, individual lymnaeid species showed great variability in habitat type selection. Lymnaea megasoma and L. exilis were found in slightly acidic water. Lymnaea catascopium was found in the deeper open water of lakes and slow moving rivers, while L. caperata and L. (Fossaria) spp. were found in temporary wetlands and mud flats. Wetland habitat reduction during the drought of 1987–1989 may have influenced distribution of the amphibious s...

Aberrant Toxocara canis in a red fox.

During necropsy of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) heart an adult, male Toxocara caniswas found under the pericardium at the junction of the right ventricle and right atrium. The life cycle of T. canisis complex and includes tracheal and somatic migrations of larvae, and they can be found in many tissues throughout the hosts body. However, it is rare for adult ascarids to be recovered outside of the small intestine. This is the first report of an adult T. canisinside the pericardial space.