Developmental stages of Hepatozoon sp. (Apicomplexa: Hepatozooidae) from Steudner's gecko, Tropiocolotes steudneri (Gekkonidae)

One Hepatozoon sp. was detected from Tropiocolotes steudnericollected from Giza, Egypt. The parasite invaded only erythrocytes, sometimes they were extracellularly observed. Three different forms were detected: i) Small form with a size of 4.8–6.3×2.9–3.8 µm (L×W). ii) Intermediate form with a size of 7.6–9.4×3.2–4.5 µm (L×W). iii) Large form measured 12.4–17.3×5.1–6.2 µm (L×W). Merogony occurred only in endothelial cells of lung capillaries. Early and multinucleate meronts were seen. Micromeronts were subspherical to oval in shape, measuring about 17.5×15.7 µm and containing 2–5 macromerozoites. These merozoites were elongated, measuring 14.6×5.5 µm in an average size. Macromeronts were spherical to subspherical, measuring about 25.6×19.7 µm and containing 30–40 micromerozoites, measuring 10.7×3.5 µm in an average size.