OBJECTIVE: Biodiversity studies in search of endoparasitic acephaline gregarines of earthworms revealed a new species under the genus Rhynchocystis Hesse, 1909. METHODS: The species has been obtained from the seminal vesicles of the earthworm, Metaphire peguana. The parasite was identified using standard methodology. RESULTS: Gamonts are solitary, elongated with a conical, enlarged head and blunt posterior end. The mature gamont measures 419.90- 430.95 (425.05±4.70) μm in length and the width at the widest portion is 44.2-50.83 (47.88±2.85) μm and 15.47-17.68 (16.50±1.14) μm in the posterior end. The nucleus is elongated and positioned at the posterior end. The nucleus measures 17.68-22.01 (19.74±1.95) μmx11.05- 15.47 (13.40±1.95) μm. The measurement of the mucron is 13.26-17.68 (15.47±1.86) μmx17.68-22.1 (19.44±1.71) μm. Gametocysts are ovoid with two unequal sized gametocytes. The gametocyst measures 95.03-97.24 (96.20±1.14) μmx77.35-81.77 (79.56±1.86) μm. Large and small gametocytes measure 57.46-61.88 (59.81±1.76) μmx70.72-75.14 (72.48±1.71) μm and 30.94-37.57 (34.47±2.74) μmx61.88-66.3 (64.38±1.84) μm respectively. Oocysts are biconical, measuring 11.05-15.47 (12.81±1.71) μmx6.63-8.84 (7.70±1.20) μm. CONCLUSION: A new gregarine parasite species is described.
OBJECTIVE: Biodiversity studies in search of endoparasitic acephaline gregarines of earthworms revealed a new species under the genus Rhynchocystis Hesse, 1909. METHODS: The species has been obtained from the seminal vesicles of the earthworm, Metaphire peguana. The parasite was identified using standard methodology. RESULTS: Gamonts are solitary, elongated with a conical, enlarged head and blunt posterior end. The mature gamont measures 419.90- 430.95 (425.05±4.70) μm in length and the width at the widest portion is 44.2-50.83 (47.88±2.85) μm and 15.47-17.68 (16.50±1.14) μm in the posterior end. The nucleus is elongated and positioned at the posterior end. The nucleus measures 17.68-22.01 (19.74±1.95) μmx11.05- 15.47 (13.40±1.95) μm. The measurement of the mucron is 13.26-17.68 (15.47±1.86) μmx17.68-22.1 (19.44±1.71) μm. Gametocysts are ovoid with two unequal sized gametocytes. The gametocyst measures 95.03-97.24 (96.20±1.14) μmx77.35-81.77 (79.56±1.86) μm. Large and small gametocytes measure 57.46-61.88 (59.81±1.76) μmx70.72-75.14 (72.48±1.71) μm and 30.94-37.57 (34.47±2.74) μmx61.88-66.3 (64.38±1.84) μm respectively. Oocysts are biconical, measuring 11.05-15.47 (12.81±1.71) μmx6.63-8.84 (7.70±1.20) μm. CONCLUSION: A new gregarine parasite species is described.