On A New Haemogregarine Of Varanus Griseus From Egypt

Abstract

Ten monitors, Varanus griseus collected from various localities in Egypt were examined for protozoan blood parasites. A new species of the genus Haemogregarina senso lato is reported from six of these monitors. Blood forms of Haemogregarina roshdyi n.sp. are described. These forms produce changes to the shape and structure of infected cells including stretching and slight dehaemoglobization of infected cells and displacement of the nuclei. Despite of the low parasitaemia observed in the blood, schizogonic stages have been observed in the lungs and liver. The new species is compared with other species of haemogregarines described previously from varanids.