A NEW SPECIES OF EIMERIA (APICOMPLEXA) FROM THE PRAIRIE RINGNECK SNAKE, DIADOPHIS-PUNCTATUS-ARNYI (SERPENTES, COLUBRIDAE), FROM ARKANSAS

A new species of coccidian (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) is described from the faeces of the prairie ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus arnyi, from Arkansas, USA. Oocysts of Eimeria kennicotti sp, n. were found in 2/4 adult snakes and are broadly ellipsoidal, 27.4 x 21.2 (22.4-29.6 x 17.6-23.6) mu m, with a thin wall; shape index (length/width) 1.29 ( 1.13-1.33). A micropyle was absent, an oocyst residuum was present, an d a polar granule sometimes present. Sporocysts were elongate, 17.4 x 6.4 (15.2-19.2 x 5.6-7.2) mu m, and possessed an indistinct Stieda bod y; shape index 2.75 (2.44-3.03). Each sporozoite had ellipsoidal anter ior and spherical to ellipsoidal posterior refractile bodies.