Description of Pythonella scleruri n. sp. (Apicomplexa : Eimeriidae) from a Brazilian bird Rufous-Breasted-Leaftosser Sclerurus scansor, 1835 (Passeriformes : Furnariidae)

Coccidian oocysts containing 16 sporocysts with 4 sporozoites in each were observed in a faecal sample fi om Sclerurus scansor collected in the Itatiaia National Park, southeastern? region of Brazil. The oocysts al-e characterized by ellipsoidal shape measuring, 42.5 x 32.8 mu m, with smooth, thick double-layered wall of a greenish-orange colour. An oocyst residuum of numerous scattered granules among the sporocysts ill sporulated ones, 16 round sporocysts, averaging 10.5 x 10 mu m each containing four elongated sporozoites, presence of residuum; absence of Stieda body. The presently described coccidian, recorded for the first time in birds, is a new: species named P. scleruri.94215715