Hepatozoon sauromali sp. n., a Hemogregarine from the Chuckwalla (Sauromalus spp.) with Notes on the Life History

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Abstract
A saurian hemogregarine, Hepatozoon sauromali Sp.n., is described from the chuckwalla Sauromalus spp. collected in Baja California, Mexico, and California. Gametocytes develop in the erythro-cytes and schizogony takes place in the liver. The number of merozoites in the mature schizont averages 24. The vector of the parasite is a new species of mite of the genus Hirstiella. Transmission is by the oral route. Sporogony takes place in the mite''s body cavity. The large oocysts contain sporocysts, each of which has approximately 12 sporozoites. Mites which had been permitted to engorge on parasitized chuckwallas were fed to "clean" Sceloporus lizards. These showed blood cell infections 30 days later.