Eimeria is a genus of apicomplexan parasites, but are coccidia, so unlike their cousins such as Plasmodium and Babesia, which alternate between an insect vector and a vertebrate, these parasites are transmitted via the oral-fecal route. Eimeria alligator was described from American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in 1990, after sampling gators that had been shot in Texas during the alligator hunting season. Seven other species of Eimeria have been reported from crocodilian hosts in both the New and Old Worlds, as have two species of Isospora, another genus of coccidia.
September 8, 2010
September 8 - Eimeria alligator
Eimeria is a genus of apicomplexan parasites, but are coccidia, so unlike their cousins such as Plasmodium and Babesia, which alternate between an insect vector and a vertebrate, these parasites are transmitted via the oral-fecal route. Eimeria alligator was described from American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in 1990, after sampling gators that had been shot in Texas during the alligator hunting season. Seven other species of Eimeria have been reported from crocodilian hosts in both the New and Old Worlds, as have two species of Isospora, another genus of coccidia.
Yes! A week for crocodilians. Fantastic!
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