Eimeria palavensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Blackmouth Catshark, Galesus melastomus (Pisces : Scyliorhinidae)

Abstract

      In a sample of 143 blackmouth catsharks, Galeus melastomus caught from off the coast of Languedoc (southern France, northern Mediterranean), 123 specimens were infested by a coccidian. It is a new species belonging to the genus Eimeria (s. l.) SCHNEIDER, 1875 sensu LOM and DYKOVA (1982) and named Eimeria palavensis n. sp. The species was described and its parasitic incidence on G. melastomus is detailed. The coccidian density is relatively high in both sexes, the category of specimens (juvenile or adult) and also slightly related to the reproductive state of the adult females.