Apolocystis nephredii (Apicomplexa: Monocystinae) A New Aseptate Gregarine Species from Nephredia of Limnodrilus sp. (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from Egypt

Abstract

An aseptate gregarine, Apolocystis nephredii, sp. nov. was described as a new species from the nephredia of earthworm, Limnodrilus sp. Life cycle stages of the parasite are present inside the nephredia. Trophozoites are pear, kidney or oval in shape ranging between 81 and 124 μm long and between 75 and 85 μm broad, with an average of 92.7 (±24) x 79 (±3.7) μm. Gametocysts are ellipsoidal and range between 200 and 209 μm long and between 112 and 132 μm broad, with an average of 205.9 (±3.8) x 125 (±4) μm. Sporocysts are navicular with round ends and measure 17 -19.2 x 8.1 - 9 μm, with an average of 18.5 (±0.6) x 8.5 (±0.2) μm .