Microscopic view of Eimeria ammospermophili within a Harris's antelope squirrel's intestine.

Unveiling the Microscopic World: A New Species of Coccidia Discovered in Antelope Squirrels

Avery Sinclair in Science & Nature June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Scientists identify a novel Eimeria species in Harris's antelope squirrels, shedding light on the understudied parasite biodiversity of these desert rodents."

The world is teeming with life, much of it invisible to the naked eye. Parasites, often overlooked, play a crucial role in ecosystems, influencing host populations and shaping ecological dynamics. Among these microscopic organisms are coccidia, single-celled parasites that infect a wide range of animals.

Recent research has unveiled a new species of coccidia, Eimeria ammospermophili, discovered in Harris's antelope squirrels (Ammospermophilus harrisii). This finding not only expands our knowledge of parasite biodiversity but also highlights the importance of studying these often-neglected organisms.

This article delves into the details of this discovery, exploring the characteristics of Eimeria ammospermophili, its potential impact on antelope squirrels, and the broader implications for understanding parasite-host interactions in desert ecosystems.

What is Eimeria ammospermophili and Why Does It Matter?

Microscopic view of Eimeria ammospermophili within a Harris's antelope squirrel's intestine.

Eimeria ammospermophili is a newly identified species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) found in the Harris's antelope squirrel. Coccidia are intracellular parasites that infect the intestinal tracts of animals, causing a disease known as coccidiosis. This particular species was identified from 2 out of 29 squirrels studied in Arizona, USA.

The discovery is significant for several reasons:

Expanding Biodiversity Knowledge: It adds to the known diversity of parasites, particularly within the Ammospermophilus genus, which was previously unstudied in terms of coccidian parasites.
Understanding Host-Parasite Interactions: Studying this new species can provide insights into the specific relationships between parasites and their hosts, including how the parasite affects the squirrel's health and ecology.
Ecological Implications: Parasites can influence host population dynamics and community structure. Understanding the parasites of a species like the Harris's antelope squirrel helps to understand its role in the ecosystem.

The oöcysts (a stage in the parasite's life cycle) of Eimeria ammospermophili are ovoidal to ellipsoidal, measuring 24–32 × 20–25 µm. They possess a pitted, bi-layered wall and contain an oöcyst residuum, and occasionally a polar granule. The sporocysts are ellipsoidal, measuring 10-12 × 7–9 µm, and contain a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. This detailed morphological description is crucial for identifying and differentiating this species from other coccidia.

Why This Discovery Matters

The discovery of Eimeria ammospermophili underscores the importance of continued research into the parasites of wildlife. Understanding these microscopic organisms and their interactions with their hosts is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and preventing the spread of diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand the prevalence, impact, and potential transmission pathways of this new coccidian species.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s11230-018-9832-y, Alternate LINK

Title: A New Species Of Eimeria Schneider, 1885 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) From Harris’S Antelope Squirrel Ammospermophilus Harrisii Audubon &Amp; Bachman (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Subject: Parasitology

Journal: Systematic Parasitology

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: John A. Hnida

Published: 2018-12-06

Everything You Need To Know

What is Eimeria ammospermophili, and why is identifying it important?

Eimeria ammospermophili is a newly discovered species of coccidia found in Harris's antelope squirrels. Coccidia are intracellular parasites that infect the intestinal tracts of animals, causing coccidiosis. The significance of this discovery lies in expanding our knowledge of parasite biodiversity, understanding host-parasite interactions, and recognizing the ecological implications of parasites on host populations.

Why is discovering a new coccidian species like Eimeria ammospermophili in Harris's antelope squirrels so significant?

The discovery of Eimeria ammospermophili is significant because it expands our knowledge of parasite biodiversity, particularly within the previously unstudied Ammospermophilus genus. Studying this new species can provide insights into the specific relationships between parasites and their hosts, including how the parasite affects the squirrel's health and ecology. Furthermore, parasites can influence host population dynamics and community structure, making their study crucial for understanding an organism's role in the ecosystem.

What are the key characteristics that define Eimeria ammospermophili, and why are these details important?

The oöcysts of Eimeria ammospermophili are ovoidal to ellipsoidal, measuring 24–32 × 20–25 µm. They possess a pitted, bi-layered wall and contain an oöcyst residuum, and occasionally a polar granule. The sporocysts are ellipsoidal, measuring 10-12 × 7–9 µm, and contain a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. Such detailed morphological description is crucial for identifying and differentiating this species from other coccidia, as well as to aid future identification by researches.

What further research is needed now that Eimeria ammospermophili has been discovered in Harris's antelope squirrels?

Further research is needed to fully understand the prevalence, impact, and potential transmission pathways of Eimeria ammospermophili. Understanding these microscopic organisms and their interactions with their hosts is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and preventing the spread of diseases. Research into the impacts on the Harris's antelope squirrels needs to be determined.

How could a coccidian parasite such as Eimeria ammospermophili affect the health and ecology of Harris's antelope squirrels, and what are the broader implications?

Coccidia, like Eimeria ammospermophili, are intracellular parasites that infect the intestinal tracts of animals, causing a disease known as coccidiosis. This can lead to various health problems for the infected animal, potentially impacting their ability to thrive and reproduce. Furthermore, parasites can influence host population dynamics and community structure. Understanding the parasites of a species like the Harris's antelope squirrel helps to understand its role in the ecosystem. However, the full extent of Eimeria ammospermophili's impact on Harris's antelope squirrels requires further investigation to fully understand the potential health implications of this parasitic infection.