Two new species of the genus Quadruspinospora Sarkar et Chakravarty, 1969 [Apicomplexa, Conoidasida] from grasshoppers [Insecta, Orthoptera]

Descriptions of structures and life histories of two new species of septate gregarines (Apicomplexa, Conoidasida) are given. These are: Quadruspinospora cloptoni sp. nov. and Quadruspinospora caudata sp. nov. from the midguts of Oxya hyla hyla Serville and Gesonula punctiformes (Stal.) (Insecta, Orthoptera, Acrididae), respectively. Trophozoites of Q. cloptoni attain a maximum length of 944 μm and their epimerites are either a simple knob or cauliflower-like without any digitiform process; gamonts are solitary and, spherical gametocysts, 390 μm, release ovoid oocysts by a simple rupture, the latter being provided with four characteristic spines, two at each pole. Trophozoites of Q. caudata are much smaller, 578 μm in maximum length, and the epimerite in this gregarine is short and cone like. Spherical gametocysts, 365 μm, also dehisce by a simple rupture releasing ovoid oocysts having four typical spines, characteristic of the genus Quadruspinospora Sarkar et Chakravarty, 1969. The validity of Quadruspinospora as a distinct genus is discussed.