ISOSPORA, CARYOSPORA AND EIMERIA (APICOMPLEXA, EIMERIIDAE) IN PASSERIFORM BIRDS FROM CZECH-REPUBLIC

Passeriform birds were studied as hosts of monoxenous coccidia (Eimeri idae). 571 faecal samples from 46 species were examined. Coccidia were found in 210 samples (36.8%) from 34 host species (73.9% of examined species). 36 oocyst types mostly belonging to the genus Isospora were found (33 types); oocysts of the genera Caryospora and Eimeria were al so noted. Caryospora is reported for the first time from the genus Acr ocephalus. Infections were mostly single (91.4%), but multiple infecti ons were also found. Problems of species determination in eimeriid coc cidia from birds are discussed, as well as the possibility that every species of passerine bird in Central Europe can act as a host for at l east one species of monoxenous coccidia.