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A New Isospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus (Passeriformes: Certhioidea: Troglodytidae), in Southeastern Oklahoma, USA

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Abstract

Purpose

Nothing is known of the coccidian parasites of the Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790). Here, we report a new species of Isospora from T. l. ludovicianus from Oklahoma, USA.

Methods

Faecal samples were collected between September and December 2021 from five adult T. l. ludovicianus taken with a mist net from McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA, and examined for coccidian parasites. Samples were placed in individual vials containing aqueous potassium dichromate. They were examined for coccidia after flotation in Sheather’s sugar solution, measured, and photographed. Tissue samples from the intestine of a single positive bird were removed and placed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for examination of coccidian endogenous stages.

Results

A single Carolina wren (20%) was found to be passing a new species of Isospora. Oocysts of Isospora edwardwilsoni n. sp. were subspheroidal to ovoidal with a smooth bi-layered wall, measured (L × W) 23.8 × 20.3 µm, and had a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.2; a micropyle and oocyst residuum was absent but typically one to up to four polar granule(s) was present. Sporocysts are ovoidal to ellipsoidal and measured 15.3 × 9.7 µm, L/W 1.6; a knob-like Stieda body was present as well as a distinct rounded sub-Stieda body. The sporocyst residuum was composed of various-sized granules in a compact irregular mass or dispersed between and across the sporozoite, or a combination of both within the same sporocyst. Information is also presented on the endogenous development of this coccidian.

Conclusion

This is the first coccidian reported from T. l. ludovicianus and, more importantly, the first known from the members of the family Troglodytidae in North America.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Drs. Scott L. Gardner and Gábor R. Rácz (HWML) for expert curatorial assistance, and Bruno P. Berto (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) for advice on troglodytid coccidians.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK, 74745, USA

    Chris T. McAllister

  2. Department of Microbiology, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, 85308, USA

    John A. Hnida

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University (Emeritus), AZ, 72467, State University, USA

    Stanley E. Trauth

Authors
  1. Chris T. McAllister
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  2. John A. Hnida
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  3. Stanley E. Trauth
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Correspondence to Chris T. McAllister.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

Ethical approval for collecting was granted per the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Scientific Collecting Permit No. 1551646 to CTM.

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McAllister, C.T., Hnida, J.A. & Trauth, S.E. A New Isospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus (Passeriformes: Certhioidea: Troglodytidae), in Southeastern Oklahoma, USA. Acta Parasit. 67, 1224–1229 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-022-00572-y

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