الفهرس 
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Abstract
Sarcocystis species are among the widespread apicomplexans infecting mammals, birds and reptiles. Here, we record infection for the first time with Sarcocystis chloropusae n. sp. from the common moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) from Brullus Lake, KafrElsheikh, Egypt. Sarcocysts morphologic characters were described using light and transmission electron microscopy. Sarcocysts were observed in neck, thigh and legs muscles of only two birds from 25 examined moorhens. Sarcocysts of S.chloropusae averaged 150 − 650 µm in length x 35 − 185 µm in width. Histologically, the cyst wall was striated and characterized by the existence of radial spine-like structures. Using TEM, the cyst wall measured 2 − 4.5 µm thick and possessed irregularly shaped crowded finger-like villar protrusions that averaged 1.5 − 4 µm in length and reached up to 0.4 − 2 µm in width. According to the results of PCR, sequencing and phylogenic analyses of 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA genes and ITS-1 region S.chloropusae n. sp. is proposed as a genetically separate species. Another novel species of Sarcocystis cysts was found in two out of 43 examined common coots (Fulica atra). Sarcocysts were only localized in the leg and thigh muscles. The cysts measured 165 − 850 µm long x 50 − 85 µm wide. Microscopically; the sarcocyst wall appeared wavy with the existence of minute undulations. Ultrastructural examination, revealed a cyst wall that measured 1 − 3 µm in thickness and had several mushroom-like villar protrusions or sometimes branched mushroom villar protrusions that measured approximately 0.5 − 2 µm in length and reached up to 2 µm in width. Electron dense ground substance averaged from 300 nm to 1 µm in thickness. Cystozoites were elongated, banana-shaped and measured 7.5 − 14 x 1.5 − 2.5 µm. The sarcocyst wall belonged to type -24. Results of molecular investigations based on 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA genes and ITS-1 region revealed that S.atraii n.sp. was related to avian Sarcocystis spp. whose final hosts are predatory mammals.