Eimeria fraterculae

Taxobox
color = khaki
name = "Eimeria fraterculae"
regnum = Protista
phylum = Apicomplexa
classis = Conoidasida
subclassis = Coccidiasina
ordo = Eucoccidiorida
familia = Eimeriidae
genus = "Eimeria"
species = "E. fraterculae"
binomial = "Eimeria fraterculae"
binomial_authority = Leighton & Gajadhar, 1986

"Eimeria fraterculae" is a species of protist belonging to the family Eimeriidae. It causes renal coccidiosis in the Atlantic Puffin "Fratercula arctica".

Apart from its host-specificity, this coccidium can be recognised by the sub-spherical oocytes with unusually thick walls appearing distinctly greenish in colour. Coccidiosis caused by this parasite appears to be mild and non-fatal.

References

*cite journal |url=http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/22/4/520.pdf?ck=nck |title="Eimeria fraterculae" sp. n. in the kidneys of Atlantic Puffins ("Fratercula arctica") from Newfoundland, Canada: species description and lesions |journal=Journal of Wildlife Diseases |volume=22(4) |year=1986 |author=Frederick A. Leighton & Alvin A. Gajadhar |pages=520-526