Sarcocystis singaporensis Zaman and Colley, (1975) 1976, Sarcocystis villivillosi sp. n., and Sarcocystis zamani sp. n.: Development, Morphology, and Persistence in the Laboratory Rat, Rattus norvegicus

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Abstract
Sporocysts obtained in Singapore in the feces of the boid snake, Python reticulatus, were given by mouth to laboratory rats, mice and a monkey (Macaca mulatta). Infections developed in rats only. Schizonts were observed in vascular endothelium of various tissues of rats examined at 7-15 days of infection; and in each of 20 rats examined at 1 mo.-2 yr, cysts of 3 spp. of Sarocystis were observed. Based on observations made by light microscopy and EM, 1 sp. was identified as S. singaporensis and redescribed; 2 spp., S. villivillosi sp. nov. and S. zamani sp. nov., are described. The cyst wall of S. singaporensis is thick with tall, stalked, digitiform villi. That of S. villivillosi is moderately thin and bears short, stout villi that are covered with microvilli; and that of S. zamani is thin and bears delicate, branched villi. The cyst of S. zamani is macroscopic with rounded ends; it induces multiplication of host-cell nuclei and causes resorption of the myofibrils. Cysts of the other species are microscopic with fusiform shape that changes markedly with contraction of the host cell. Refrigerated sporocysts of S. singaporensis, S. zamani and S. villivillosi remained viable for at least 24, 14 and 6 mo., respectively. S. singaporensis and S. zamani apparently have been reported previously from several species of Malaysian wild rodents; S. villivillosi represents a unique type in rodents.