MORPHOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION OF EIMERIA SPECIES AND PREVALENCE OF COCCIDIOSIS IN GOATS UNDER FARM CONDITIONS AT JABALPUR

Coccidiosis is one of the most important protozoan parasitic diseases of goats.Goats are essentially very hardy animals but various agents including virus, bacteria and protozoa are impeding economical production in goat industry, particularly in the first few months of life. It is caused by intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Eimeria and is distributed all over the world. Out of 1065 goats, 300 were found positive for diarrhoea, dullness depression, unthriftness and emaciated. Out of 300, goats examined 206 were positive for coccidiosis. under this study morphometric identification of Eimeria species was done. On the basis of morphological features and sporulation time, four different species of Eimeria were identified under the study i.e. E. arloingi, E. alijevi, E. christenseni and E. ninakohlyakimovae.The overall prevalence of coccidiosis in goats was recorded as 68.66% (206/300).