ISOSPORA-PTYODACTYLI N. SP. (APICOMPLEXA, EIMERIIDAE), A NEW COCCIDIAN PARASITE OF THE FAN-FOOTED GECKO PTYODACTYLUS-PUISEUXI BOUTAN, 1893 (REPTILIA, GEKKONIDAE) FROM JORDAN

Faecal samples from 17 fan-footed geckoes Ptyodactylus puiseuxi Boutan were examined for coccidian parasites. Five geckoes (29%) were found to be passing oocysts of the genus Isospora Schneider. Comparison with other members of the genus Isospora indicates that the coccidian foun d represents a new species. Sporulated oocysts of I. ptyodactyli n. sp . are spherical or subspherical, 22.1 (19.0-24.0) x 21.2. (18.0-23.0) mu m, with a shape-index (length/width) of 1.04; and a smooth and bila yered oocyst wall, 1.0-1.5 mu m thick. A micropyle, oocyst residuum an d polar granule are absent. The sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12.2 (11.0 -14.0) x 8.0 (7.5-9.0) mu m, with a shape index of 1.5 (1.4-1.9). Stie da and substieda bodies are present, the Stieda body being knob-like a nd the substieda body spherical to subspherical. A sporocyst residuum is present and composed of numerous granules of different size scatter ed among the sporozoites. The sporozoites are vermiform, with a slight ly granulated surface appearance, and are arranged head to tail within the sporocyst. Most oocysts have still to sporulate when excreted; sp orulation was completed within 12 h at 25 degrees C. Endogenous develo pment occurs inside the nuclei of enterocytes in the small intestine.