Isospora lutrae n. sp (Apicomplexa : Eimeriidae), a new coccidium from theEuropean otter Lutra lutra (L.) (Carnivora : Mustelidae) from Spain

Parasitological examination of European otter originating from Extremadura, Spain revealed the presence of a new isosporan species. Oocysts of Isospor a lutrae n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 31.2 (27.5-32) x 29.6 (28-31 ) mu m and have a smooth wall c. 1 mu m thick. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 18.2 (17-19) x 14.4 (14-16) mu m and lack Stieda and substieda bodies. A sp herical sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of granules scattered amo ng the sporozoites. Sporozoites are spindle-shaped, 12.4 x 2.5 mu m and hav e anterior and posterior refractile bodies. Based on its unique morphologic structure and host, I. lutrae is considered to be new.