The Species of Cryptosporidium (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) Infecting Mammals

Abstract

Oocysts of Cryptosporidium muris (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) were obtained from the feces of naturally infected calves. Oocysts were fully sporulated in fresh feces, measured 7.4 X 5.6 (6.6 - 7.9 X 5.3 - 6.5) micron, and possessed a longitudinal suture along one pole of the oocyst wall. Morphologic and biologic evidence obtained from this study demonstrated that C. muris is a species distinct from Cryptosporidium parvum, which has smaller oocysts.