A new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the endangered pink pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri (Prévost, 1843) Cheke, 2005 (Columbiformes) in Mauritius

Abstract

A new species, Eimeria mauritiensis (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is reported from the pink pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri (Aves: Columbiformes) in Mauritius. Oocysts are sub-spherical 17.8 × 19.7 (16–19 × 18– 22) μm: Shape index (mean length / mean  width) 1.1. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granules are absent. Sporocysts are 6.6 × 12.0 (6–7 × 8–14) μm with Stieda and substieda bodies.

Key words: Eimeria mauritiensis n.sp., pink pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri.