Over the last two decades my colleagues and I have assembled the literature on a good percentage of most of the coccidians (Conoidasida) known, to date, to parasitise: Amphibia, four major lineages of Reptilia (Amphisbaenia, Chelonia, Crocodylia, Serpentes), and seven major orders in the Mammalia (Carnivora, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Insectivora, Marsupialia, Primates, Scandentia). These vertebrates, combined, comprise about 15,225 species; only about 899 (5.8%) of them have been surveyed for coccidia and 1,946 apicomplexan valid species names or other forms are recorded in the literature. Based on these compilations and other factors, I extrapolated that there yet may be an additional 31,381 new apicomplexans still to be discovered in just these 12 vertebrate groups. Extending the concept to all of the other extant vertebrates on Earth; i.e. lizards (6,300 spp.), rodents plus 12 minor orders of mammals (3,180 spp.), birds (10,000 spp.), and fishes (33,000 spp.) and, conservatively assuming only two unique apicomplexan species per each vertebrate host species, I extrapolate and extend my prediction that we may eventually find 135,000 new apicomplexans that still need discovery and to be described in and from those vertebrates that have not yet been examined for them! Even doubling that number is a significant underestimation in my opinion.
The aim of this study was to analyze the relation between physical condition, easured as the Kidney Fat Index (KFI), and some reproductive parameters of Lepus granatensis in Navarra province, Spain. Samples were collected between October 2001 and January 2003, totaling 174 hares (87 males and 87 females). All the hares were sexed and classified in three age categories (immature, young and adult). Fertile males and females were present in all monthly samples. Kidney weight was greater in females than in males for all the age classes and kidney weight variation along the year was not significant. Ranges of perirenal fat accumulated were larger in females but mean weight of fat for all hares was similar in males and females. Body weight and kidney fat weight was directly related both for males and females. Global pattern of fat deposition along the year was similar for both sexes. The amount of perirenal fat in adult fertile hares reaches maximum values just before the main reproduction period and reproductive state conditioned kidney fat levels. Pregnancy induces fat deposition in females and factors such as the number of embryos and the stage of gestation influence kidney fat levels.