A new Sarcocystis species (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) from the rock gecko Bunopus tuberculatus in Saudi Arabia

J Parasitol. 2012 Oct;98(5):951-3. doi: 10.1645/GE-3077.1. Epub 2012 Apr 20.

Abstract

Sarcocystis bunopusi n. sp. from the muscle fibres of the rock gecko ( Bunopus tuberculatus ) in Saudi Arabia is described. Sarcocysts were found in skeletal muscles of the tail and fore and hind limbs in 3 of 30 geckos. Sarcocysts were microscopic, 42-45 µm long and 22-25 µm wide. Using light microscopy, the cyst wall was thin and smooth. Ultrastructurally, the primary cyst wall consisted of a thin parasitophorous vacuolar membrane with osmiophilic 100 nm × 50 nm knob-like papillae, and no perpendicular protrusions. Septae were indistinct. Bradyzoites were 5-7 × 1.5-2.0 µm in size. This is the first description of a Sarcocystis species from this gecko.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Lizards / parasitology*
  • Microscopy, Electron / veterinary
  • Muscle, Skeletal / parasitology
  • Sarcocystis / classification*
  • Sarcocystis / isolation & purification
  • Sarcocystis / ultrastructure
  • Sarcocystosis / parasitology
  • Sarcocystosis / veterinary*
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Tail