Coccidia (Apicomplexa), genetic diversity, and environmental unpredictability of four chromosomal species of the subterranean superspecies Spalax ehrenbergi (mole-rat) in Israel.

Forty-five mole-rats, representing 4 chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58, 60) of the superspecies Spalax ehrenbergi, were collected from 12 localities in Israel in 4 distinct climatic regions. Feces were examined for coccidian oocysts and 41 (91%) were infected; 26 (63%) had multiple infections of up to 5 coccidian species, 4 of which are described here as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria anzanensis n. sp. were ellipsoidal 18.3 x 12.5 microns (14-22 x 10-16) and had elongate-ovoidal sporocysts 7.3 x 4.9 microns (5-10 x 3-7); it occurred in 39 of 45 (87%) mole-rats, including all chromosomal species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria spalacensis n. sp. were ovoidal 23.4 x 18.3 microns (17-29 x 12-21) with ovoidal sporocysts 9.4 x 6.8 microns (6-12 x 4-10); it occurred in 7 of 45 (16%) mole-rats (2n = 54, 58, 60). Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria carmelensis n. sp. were subspheroidal to ellipsoidal 19.1 x 16.5 microns (14-25 x 11-20) and had sporocysts that were spheroidal to ellipsoidal 8.6 x 6.2 microns (6-13 x 4-8); it occurred in 5 of 45 (11%) mole-rats (2n = 58, 60). Sporulated oocysts of Isospora spalacensis n. sp. were ellipsoidal 14.6 x 11.0 microns (12-17 x 9-14) with ellipsoidal to ovoidal sporocysts 8.5 x 4.5 microns (7.5-11 x 4-7); it occurred in 5 of 45 (11%) mole-rats (2n = 58, 60). Twenty-five of 45 (56%) mole-rats (all 4 species) were infected with a previously described form, Eimeria elliptica Sayin, Dincer, and Meric, 1977.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)