A New Haemocystidium (Apicomplexa: Plasmodiidae) Species of the Dhub Lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis, In Abu Dhabi, Distinguished By the Absence of Pigment

Abstract: The spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis, in Abu Dhabi is parasitized by Haemocystidium apigmentada n. sp., and 2 species of Hepatozoon. The elongate gametocytes of H. apigmentada are 13–19 × 6–9 µm, with length × width (LW) 90–133 µm2, and L/W ratio 1.56-3.17. Gametocyte dimensions do not differ by sex. Gametocytes are unpigmented. Hepatozoon species 1 has gamonts with a consistently terminal nucleus, with dimensions of 13–16 × 4.5–7 µm, LW of 58–104 µm2, and L/W ratio of 2.00-3.22. Hepatozoon species 2 gamonts have a broad nucleus at the midbody, and dimensions of 13–15.5 × 5–7 µm, LW of 71–109 µm2, and L/W ratio of 1.93-3.00.