Redescription, deposition of life-cycle stage specimens ofSarcocystis bovifelisHeydorn, Gestrich, Mehlhorn and Rommel, 1975, and amendment toSarcocystis hirsutaMoulé, 1888

Abstract There is considerable debate concerning the life cycles and taxonomy ofSarcocystisspecies in cattle. Of the 8 species ofSarcocystisnamed from cattle, 2 (Sarcocystis cruziandSarcocystis heydorni) are morphologically distinctive because their sarcocysts are microscopic and the sarcocyst wall is thin (<0.5μm thick). The sarcocysts of the remaining species (Sarcocystis hirsuta,Sarcocystis hominis,Sarcocystis bovini,Sarcocystis bovifelis,Sarcocystis sinensis,Sarcocystis rommeli) have thick (5–8μm) walls indistinguishable by light microscopy, alone. To provide needed clarity, I herein review the history, nomenclature and life cycle ofS. bovifelis(originally named by Heydorn and associates from Germany), redescribe it and deposit specimens of its various life-cycle stages at a museum for future reference. I also provide means to distinguish this parasite fromS. hirsuta. Cats are the definitive hosts for bothS. bovifelisandS. hirsuta. The sarcocysts ofS. bovifelisare microscopic, its sarcocyst wall is type 10g, it has 2 schizogonic stages in blood vessels and sarcocysts are formed between 25 and 30 days post-inoculation in striated muscles, but not in the heart. Sporulated oocysts are 17.1 × 12.7μm and sporocysts are 12.8 × 8.4μm. The sarcocysts ofSarcocystis hirsutaare macroscopic, up to 7 mm long, its wall is type 18. Nothing is known of the development ofS. hirsutain cattle tissues and in cat intestine. Size of its oocysts and sporocysts is uncertain.