Coprological examination of 15 Indian peacocks,
Pavo cristatus
, revealed the presence of a coccidium species
of the genus Eimeria, which apparently represents a previously undescribed species. Sporulation is exogenous and
fully developed oocysts of
Eimeria pavoaegyptica
sp. nov. are ellipsoidal, with a dimension of 15 (13-16) × 12 (10-
12.9) µm and with a shape index of 1.25 (1-1.3). The sporulated oocysts have no micropyle but enclose one large
rectangular-shaped polar granule and an oocyst residuum. The oocysts have a distinct two-layered wall, which is
~1.7 µm thick. The outer layer has a smooth texture; it fills ~¾ of the total thickness and appears bicolored. The
sporocysts are boat-shaped, of about 10 (9-11) × 4 (4-4.7) µm; their average shape-index is 2.5 µm with a small
pointed Stieda body and a smooth, thin single-layered wall. No substieda body is detected. The sporocysts con-
tain numerous, nearly uniform granular residua. The sporozoites are banana-shaped, 6 × 3 µm and each has two
different-sized refractile bodies.
