The Seville Lab

intestinal contents of 41 eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) from Armstrong County, Pennsylvania were examined for the presence of Eimeria spp.  Three previously named species were identified, including Eimeria lateralis (prevalence = 9%), Eimeria ovata (3%), and Eimeria vilasi (74%); 1 new species, Eimeria tamiensis n. sp. (74%) is described.  This report extends the geographic ranges of the named species into Pennsylvania.  Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tamiensis n. sp. are ovoid, 18.6 x 14.5 (16-23 x 12-17) mm with no micropyle or residuum.  Sporocysts are ellipsoid 8.6 x 5.4 (7-10 x 4-8) mm with a Stieda body and granular residuum.  Prevalences of E. lateralis and E. vilasi were similar to those reported previously and we suggest this may be due to different life-history strategies of high and low prevalence species.