Eimeria species in the Pearson Island Rock Wallaby, Petrogale lateralis pearsoni

Abstract

Four species of previously described Eimeria were identified from oocysts present in the faeces of Pearson Island rock wallabies, Petrogale lateralis pearsoni from Pearson Island, South Australia. Eimeria petrogale and Eimeria sharmani have been reported in P. lateralis; however, the presence of Eimeria godmani and Eimeria inornata expands the suite of eimerian species known in rock wallabies of the lateralis complex. These observations indicate that the host distribution of Eimeria species in rock wallabies is more diverse than previously thought, and supports the hypothesis that these coccidia have an ancient association with rock wallabies which persisted as the hosts radiated.