LIGHT-MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION OF EIMERIA-SPARIS SP-NOV AND GOUSSIA-SPARIS SP-NOV (PROTOZOA, APICOMPLEXA) FROM SPARUS-AURATA L (PISCES, TELEOSTEI)

Two new species of Coccidia, Eimeria spar-is sp. nov. and Goussia spar is sp. nov., were found in the intestine of Sparus aurata from differe nt culture systems of Spain. These are the first coccidian species des cribed from this host. E. sparis is distinguished from other Eimeria s pp. from Perciformes in the size and shape of the sporocysts, which me asure 6-9.7 (mean=7.78, SD=1.33) x4-6.5 (5.3+/-0.92) mu m, and in the Stieda-like body. Mature oocysts, spherical or subspherical, measure 9 .4-14.3 (11.88+/-1.85) mu m. G. sparis differs from other Goussin spp. from fish of the Mediterranean area in the size and shape of the oocy sts and sporocysts as well as in the location. Mature oocysts measure 16-21 (17.4+/-1.5)x13-18 (14.4+/-1.7) mu m and sporocysts, 8.6-10.3 (9 .50.5)x 5.7-7.4 (mean 6.5+/-0.5) mu m. The different stages of mer ogo ny, gamogony, and sporogony of both species were examined at the light -microscope level in fresh material and histology specimens. Sporulati on was endogenous in E. sparis and exogenous in G. sparis.