DESCRIPTION OF THE OOCYSTS OF EIMERIA-WHITAKERI N-SP (APICOMPLEXA, EIMERIIDAE) FROM LEAST SHREWS, CRYPTOTIS-PARVA (INSECTIVORA, SORICIDAE)

Oocysts of Eimeria whitakeri n. sp. are described from the faeces of the least shrew, Cryptotis parva (Insectivora: Soricidae), from Texas, USA. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, 17.4 x 16.4 (15-19 x 13-18.5) mu-m, with a bi-layered wall; their shape-index (length/width) is 1.1 (1.0-1.2). A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but a large polar granule is present. The sporocysts are ovoidal, 11.2 x 7.5 (9.5-12 x 6.5-8) mu-m, with Stieda and substieda bodies; their shape-index is 1.5 (1.4-1.6). The sporozoites each possess both anterior and posterior refractile bodies.