Eimeria azul sp. n. (protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus, in Pennsylvania.

Eimeria azul sp. n. is described from the cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus floridanus, in central Pennsylvania. The oval oocysts are 19.5--27.0 micrometer by 15.0--19.0 (mean - 22.9 X 16.7 micrometer). The fusiform sporocysts are 7.8--14.0 micrometer by 3.3--6.5 micrometer (mean = 11.8 X 5.8 micrometer). A Stieda Body is present. There is no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar granule. The sporocyst has a residuum which is variable in appearance. The oocysts are characterized by a blue tint when viewed with an apochromatic objective lens.