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A Light Microscopic Comparison of The Cysts of Four Species of Sarcocystis Infecting The Domestic Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus) in Northern Norway

Ei lysmikroskopisk samanlikning av cystene til fire Sarcocystis spp. hos tamrein i Nord-Noreg.

Abstract

Fresh preparations of micro-isolated sarcocysts from skeletal and cardiac muscle of 12 reindeer were examined by light microscopy. On the basis of cyst structure and cyst wall structure 4 Sarcocystis spp. could be differentiated. New names have been proposed for 2 previously unnamed Sarcocystis spp. of reindeer, and S. grueneri has been redefined.

S. rangiferi n. sp. had macroscopic cysts in skeletal muscle measuring 2106×403 µm. The cyst wall protrusions were finger-like and measured 13.2×6.7 µm. The cysts were surrounded by a layer of fibrillar material.

S. tarandi n. sp. had micro- to macroscopic cysts primarily in skeletal muscle, but a few cysts were found in the heart of one animal. In skeletal muscle the cysts measured 999×75µm; in the heart the cysts were shorter and wider. The cyst wall protrusions were fingerlike and measured 9.2×2.2 µm.

S. grueneri had micro- to macroscopic cysts in cardiac muscle measuring 581×137 µm. The cyst wall was thin and relatively smooth with no visible protrusions.

Sarcocystis sp. had micro- to macroscopic, slender cysts in skeletal muscle measuring 916×64 µm. The cyst wall had tightly packed, short, knob-like protrusions. The cysts of this species were previously classified as cysts of S. grueneri.

Sammendrag

Prøvar av skjelett- og hjertemuskulatur frå 12 tamreinar frå Finnmark vart undersøkt for sarcocyster under eit stereomikroskop. Cyster vart isolert og vidare undersøkt med omsyn til form, storleik og veggstruktur under eit lysmikroskop. Gyster av 4 arter vart identifisert. S. rangiferi n. sp. hadde makroskopiske cyster som målte 2106 × 403 μm. Dei vart berre påvist i skjelettmuskulaturen. Cysteveggen hadde tettsitjande, fingerliknande protrusjonar som malte 13.2 × 6.7 μm. Gystene var omgjevne a ν eit fibrillas rt lag.

S. tarandi η. sp. hadde mikro- til makroskopiske cyster. Vanlegvis var berre skjelettmuskulaturen parasitiert, men nokre få cyster vart påvist i eitt av dei undersøkte hjerta. Gystene i skjelettmuskulaturen malte 999×75 μm, og cysteveggen hadde tettsitjande, fingerliknande protrusjonar som malte 9.2 × 2.2 μm. Gystene i hjertemuskulaturen var kort are og tjukkare.

S. grueneri hadde mikro- til makroskopiske cyster berre i hjertemuskulaturen. Gystene malte 581×137 μm. Cysteveggen hadde ingen synlege protrusjonar.

Sarcocystis sp. hadde mikro- til makroskopiske cyster berre i skjelettmuskulaturen. Cystene malte 916×64 μm. Cysteveggen hadde korte (under 1 μm lange), halvkuleforma protrusjonar som knapt var synlege ved lysmikroskopi. Gyster av denna arta vart tidlegare rekna for å tilhøyra S. grueneri.

Ein har gjort framlegg om nye namn (S. rangiferi og S. tarandi) for 2 tidlegare namnlause Sarcocystis-arter hos rein.

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Gjerde, B. A Light Microscopic Comparison of The Cysts of Four Species of Sarcocystis Infecting The Domestic Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus) in Northern Norway. Acta Vet Scand 25, 195–204 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547264

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