Identification of the Eimeria species present in goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) in Nuevo León, Mexico

Objective. To identify, describe and determine the frequency of species of the genus Eimeria from goat feces from the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Materials and methods. From 403 samples of goat excreta from 13 municipalities of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Subsequently, after sporulation of the parasite dispersal forms (Oocysts), identification was made according to their morphology and morphometry by means of histograms and linear regression analysis. Results. A total of 60.29% of the animals sampled were positive for the presence of oocysts of Eimeria spp. The municipalities in which this parasite was most frequently detected were Ramones and Pesquería with 100% of positive samples, while a lower frequency was observed in the municipality of Aramberri with 3.4%. The morphological and morphometric analysis of the sporulated oocysts allowed the identification of 8 different types of Eimeria in the group of animals studied: E. caprina, E. caprovina, E. christenseni, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. jolchijevi, E. alijevi, E. arloingi and E. apsheronica. Conclusions. Most of the identified Eimeria spp. showed a high degree of polymorphism. According to their morphometric characteristics, eight species were identified, including E. apsheronica, which has not been previously described in Mexico. Further studies of Eimeria species circulating in goats in Mexico are required.