الفهرس 
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Abstract
parasites infecting the Egyptia lacertids of genus Acanthodactylus was achieved.
Two genera of this class were recorded representing the genera Sarcocystis and Haemogregarina.
Regarding Sarcocystis, three different species of Acanthodactylus mere examined during the period (12/96 - 6/99) for the detection of the natural infection. Only Acanthodactylus boskianus and Acanthodactylus scutellatus showed different degrees of natural infection, while Uicanthodactylusparadalis revealed none.
Transmission electron microscopy revealed that all typical mature cysts had a single type of a thick striated primary wall with numerous finger-like protrusions. While scanning electron microscopy, showed the ppecific arrangement of these protrusions in rows separated by a number of grooves which usually fused near its posterior end to form, what appeared to be, a clinging supporting protective structure. These protrusions measured 1.8 - 3.5 x 0.6 - 1.1 p with an average of 2.55 x 0.81 urn in their longitudinal sections and ranged from oval to round shapes in their cross sections measuring 0.85 - 2.0 x 0.2 -1.0 urn with a imeanof 1.36 x 0.71 um.
A homogenous non-granulated tape (ground substance) measuring (0.1 - 0.7) um was found just underneath the primary cyst wall. No fibrilar, microtubular or filamentous elements were seen within the protrusions or in the ground substance. This layer extended inwards through the cysts as septa and outwards through the middle portion of the protrusions. These septa divided the cyst into a number of [Compartments enclosing the metrocytes and merozoites (Parasites).
Metrocytes, lying peripherally in each compartment, were oval to globular in shape and measured 3 - 5 x 2.7 - 4.5 um with a mean of fc.2 x 3.51 um. They reproduced asexually by endodyogeny to give merozoites.
merozoites, showing a unique rounded vacuole above the nucleus ly two or three) in addition to its apicomplexan characteristics, were a-shaped with anterior tapered end and posterior blunted one. h measured 3.0-6.5 x 1.5-2.5 p with an average of 5.05 x 1/) um i occupied the central portion of the cyst. On the other hand, just Jer the ground substance, a vesicular layer was observed, for the first e, and some of its vesicles were distributed within the cyst.
Since the study of the host-parasite relationship became a field of great Kern, it should be mentioned that some pathological changes mcluding emaciation, paleness of visceral organs, diarrhoea, thigh cle congestion and loss of striations of the infected muscle fibres, |were reported in infected lizards. However, the secondary cyst wall representing a significant morphological response of host cell was Tit. Moreover, a newly recorded vesicular zone that may be derived the sarcoplasmic reticulum and representing an early non-specific on of injury against parasites, was noticed herein.
For haermogregarin es, the blood smear examination of the three ceding Acanthodactylus species from six different localities (Giza, ’~o, Beni-Suef, Baltim, Rashid and Marsa Matrouh, revealed the nee of five morphologically distincit Haemogregarina species
75sarcocysts were detected for the first time. These sarcocysts measured
E5 - 0.2 x 0.4 -1.5 mm with a mean of 0.1 x 0.7 mm. | prevalence of natural infection reached 4.5 % in A boskianus and 1% in A. scutellatus. Higher levels of this prevalence were recorded, in both species, from hind-limbs of old animals during summer. Moreover, females showed higher susceptibility to infection with sarcocysts than males.
Merozoites, showing a unique rounded vacuole above the nucleus rarely two or three) in addition to its apicomplexan characteristics, were benana-shaped with anterior tapered end and posterior blunted one. They measured 3.0-6.5 x 1.5-2.5 um with an average of 5.05 x 1.9 um bccupied the central portion of the cyst. On the other hand, just ander the ground substance, a vesicular layer was observed, for the first fcne, and some of its vesicles were distributed within the cyst.
Since the study of the host-parasite relationship became a field of great concern, it should be mentioned that some pathological changes mcluding emaciation, paleness of visceral organs, diarrhoea, thigh muscle congestion and loss of striations of the infected muscle fibres, were reported in infected lizards. However, the secondary cyst wall representing a significant morphological response of host cell was absent. Moreover, a newly recorded vesicular zone that may be derived rem the sarcoplasmic reticulum and representing an early non-specific reaction of injury against parasites, was noticed herein.
haermogregarines, the blood smear examination of the three rreceding Acanthodactylus species from six different localities (Giza,
to, Beni-Suef, Baltim, Rashid and Marsa Matrouh, revealed the ence of five morphologically distincit Haemogregarina species
(search for merogonic developmental stages in different organs of the fected Acanthodactylus species revealed the presence of abundant iierogonic forms in the endothelial cells of blood capillaries of lung and the parenchymatous tissue of kidney and liver in the 1— [Haemogregarina species. Meanwhile, those of the 4& species (Hg. damiattae) were found within the endothelial cells of the blood Qaries of lung and the parenchymatous tissue of kidney. This is the i record of merogonic stages of Haemogregarina damiattae since its iption in 1996. In addition, lung was reported as the most common • of merogony in both species and then liver & kidney respectively.
ro merogonic forms were noticed in both Haemogregarina species, was the micromeront having the measurements of 12 x 12 um in the species and 17.2 x 14.3 um in the fourth {damiattae). This wneront resulted in the formation of 16 and 8 macromerozoites favely. Each merozoite measured 12 x 2 um and 14.3 x 4.4 um. The form was the macromeront measuring 29.4 x 23.1 & 32 x 30 um 1 the first and fourth Haemogregarina species and producing from 18 ► 45 micromerozoites in the former and from 16 to 60 in the latter. Each pnd a mean of 7 x 1.5 and 8.9 x 2 um.
is also noticed that the development of merozoites occurred in two ent ways in each Haemogregarina species. In the fourth species,
ing occurred laterally, while in the first it occurred randomly.
moreover, the residual body had a small rounded easily differentiated _i in the fourth Haemogregarina species (Hg. damiattae), while it bpcred an irregular or wide less differentiated appearance in the 1^ igregarina species.
On the other hand, the study also casted light on the other odactylus haemogregarines in Africa. The comparison proved four species of the parasites herein had special morphological and able data assuring their distinctiveness from all other known ks irtfecting the African lacertids of genus Acanthodactylus. While rest Haemogregarina species (44 species) showed nearly equal anents and similar morphological characteristics of gregarina damiattae described before (Ramadan et al, 1996). *ier, few differences were also reported.
moreover, the present study recorded Acanthodactylus scutellatus, for first time, as a host of haemogregarines in Africa. In addition, thodactylus boskianus was found to be a host of nearly 6 distinct of Haemogregarina in Africa while Acanthodactylusparadalis as a host of five and Acanthodactylus scutellatus as a host of.