Sarcocystis spp. in antelopes from Southern Africa

Five Sarcocystis spp. recovered from muscle fibres of antelopes in southern Africa are described based on light and transmission electron microscopy. Sarcocystis woodhousei and S. gazellae in Antidorcas marsupialis from Namibia are described again and re-established as a recognizable species. A Sarcocystis sp, with hair-type cysts was found in Antidorcas marsupialis from Namibia and in Aepyceros melampos from South Africa. Sarcocystis melampi sp. n. is described in Aepyceros melampos from South Africa. This new species is characterized by a novel ultrastructural type of the sarcocyst wall which shows villar protrusions without any specific content, in the form of flat, wart-like elevations provided with projections folded over them. The possibility of the occurrence of S. hominis of cattle in African antelopes is discussed in connection with the finding of sarcocysts which are structurally indistinguishable from S. hominis in Tragelaphus strepsiceros in South Africa.