Coccidian parasites of birds of the avian order Columbiformes with a description of two new species of Eimeria.
Two new species of coccidia, Eimergia gourai sp. nov. from the Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria Fraser) and Eimeria duculai sp.nov. from the Torres Strait imperial pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa Gray) have been described. Eimeria gourai oocysts are spherical to sub-spherical in shape, measure 20.0 (19.0-22.0) x 20.0 (18.0-21.0) micrometer and are devoid of micropyle and oocyst residuum. Elongate sporocysts are 12.0 x 5.5 micrometer, and contain a granular residuum. Eimeria duculai oocysts are broadly ovoid with an inconspicuous micropyle at the narrower end. They are 28.0 (26.0-31.0) x 25.0 (23.0-27.0) microgram in size, without residuum but with a membrane-bound polar granule. The elongate sporocysts are 15.5 x 7.2 microgram, with prominent Stieda body and granular, membrane-bound residuum. The morphological characteristics of the known coccidian oocysts from birds of the avian order Columbiformes are reviewed.