Redescription of the Oocysts of Caryospora simplex (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from an Ottoman Viper, Vipera xanthina xanthina

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Abstract
Oocysts of C. simplex (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from the feces of an Ottoman viper, V. xanthina xanthina, from the Atlanta Zoo, [Georgia, USA]. Oocysts are spherical, 14.9 (13.5-16.2) .mu.m, with a thick, single-layered wall. A polao granule is attached to the inner surface of the oocyst wall; a micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. The sporocyst is ovoid, 11.6 .times. 8.9 (10.4-12.6 .times. 8.1-9.5) .mu.m, with Stieda and substieda bodies. A sporocyst residuum is present in most sporocysts and consists of numerous scattered granules of various sizes. Sporozoites are elongate, 11.4, 2.3 (9.9-13.1 .times. 2.0-2.7).mu.m, and lie parallel to one another and lengthwise within the sporocyst. Four are oriented in 1 direction; the other 4 lie in the opposite direction. Each sporozite contains central and posteriorly located spherical, refractile globules.