A revision of the taxonomy and nomenclature of the Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from rodents in the Tribe Marmotini (Sciuridae)

• Published in: Systematic parasitology Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 113 - 135
• Main Authors: Wilber, Patricia G., Duszynski, D.W., Upton, S.J., Seville, R.S., Corliss, J.O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01.02.1998
• Subjects: Eimeria; Marmotini; Rodents; Sciuridae
• ISSN: 0165-5752; 1573-5192
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1005914010087

All published papers on Eimeria spp. from rodents in the Marmotini Tribe are reviewed and each described species is evaluated in an historical context (i.e., beginning with the oldest description). Many of these species descriptions from marmotine rodents are invalid when considered within either the spirit or the letter of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. In addition, several previous authors erroneously assumed that Eimeria spp. of this host group were highly host-species specific. Thus, many eimerian species described to infect members of this tribe that were originally found in different hosts are morphologically indistinguishable, and several of these are considered to be conspecific. The names of those species that were most similar are synonymised and, using the guidelines of the International Code, the species for which the original descriptions were inadequate are considered to be species inquirendae (Ride et al., 1985, p. 264). The number of named eimerian species in the Marmotini is reduced from 40 to 26 valid species; these are E. airculensis, E. beckeri, E. beecheyi, E. berkinbaevi, E. callospermophili, E. citelli, E. cynomysis, E. deserticola, E. eutamiae, E. franklinii, E. hoffmeisteri, E. lateralis, E. ludoviciani, E. menzbieri, E. monacis, E. morainensis, E. os, E. ovata, E. pseudospermophili, E. spermophili, E. surki, E. tamiasciuri, E. vilasi, E. volgensis and E. yukonensis, and one new name is included. Nine junior synonyms are identified and five species inquirendae and one nomen nudum are discussed. Where needed, the identification errors in the published literature are clarified.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]