Sphaerospora epinepheli N. Sp. (Myxosporea: Sphaerosporidae) Observed in Grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus)

Sphaerospora epinepheli n. sp. is described from grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus , in cage-cultured and wild fish collected from both coastal lines of southern Thailand. Subspherical to spherical spores and mono- or disporous pseudoplasmodia were observed in the lumen of kidney tubules. Pseudoplasmodia were round to elongate, size range 15.6–22.9 μm (length) × 8.4–21.6 μm (width). Spores were 7.8–10.0 μm (length) × 12.3–14.5 μm (thickness), and 7.0–9.5 μm (width) with two spherical polar capsules of equal size measuring 2.9–4.4 μm in diameter and containing polar filaments with six or seven windings. Two uninucleate sporoplasms showed iodine vacuoles. Blood stages, similar to C-blood protozoans observed from freshwater fish in Europe, were found from peripheral blood smears of grouper. Ultrastructural studies of blood stages showed a similar structure to unidentified mobile protozoans from the blood of carp. Electron dense bodies were observed in the cytoplasm of the primary cell blood stages. Infected proximal-tubular epithelial cells showed highly vacuolated cytoplasm and pycnotic nuclei.     

Gill sphaerosporosis in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Infections caused by a Sphaerospora sp. resembling S. chinensis are reported for the first time in goldfish (Carassius auratus) from North America. The myxosporean was found in the respiratory epithelium of the gill of pond-reared fish. Spores from stained tissue sections were spherical with an equal mean length and width of 6.3 microns. Spore valves were thickened at the suture which lies in a plane perpendicular to two prominent pyriform polar capsules. The polar capsules were 4.0 x 2.8 microns in length and width. Both monosporous and disporous development within a surrounding "pseudoplasmodium" was detected. Infections caused moderate hyperplasia and occasional necrosis of the respiratory epithelial cells of the gill.     

Ortholinea alata n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ortholineidae) in the northern butterfly fish Chaetodon rainfordi

Ortholinea alata n. sp. is described from the northern butterfly fish, Chaetodon rainfordi collected at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Spherical, disporous trophozoites (10-15 micrometers) and spores were observed in the lumina of kidney tubules and collecting ducts. Spores are broadly triangular with two short, broad processes that extend dorsoventrad from the posterior end of each of the two spore valves. Valves are bisected by a suture in the plane of the polar capsules. Spores are 12.6 micrometers (length) x 9.6 micrometers (width) x 9.9 micrometers (length), and at the anterior end contain two spherical, divergent polar capsules measuring 4.6 (4.1-5.1) micrometers. Sporogenesis is similar to that of renal Sphaerospora spp.; the intraluminal trophozoites of O. alata n. sp. correspond to pseudoplasmodia described for Sphaerospora spp. and no large, multinucleated plasmodia are formed. No significant histopathological changes were observed in the kidneys of infected fish.     

Ultrastructural studies of Henneguya rhamdia n. sp. (Myxozoa) a parasite from the Amazon teleost fish, Rhamdia quelen (Pimelodidae)

Henneguya rhamdia n. sp. is described in the gill filaments of the teleost fish Rhamdia quelen, collected from the Peixe Boi River, State of Pará, Brazil. This myxosporean produced spherical to ellipsoidal plasmodia, up to 300 microm in diameter, which contained developmental stages, including spores. Several dense bodies up to 2 microm in diameter were observed among the spores. The spore body was ellipsoidal (13.1 microm in length, 5.2 microm in width, and 2.5 microm in thickness) and each of the two valves presented a tapering tail (36.9 microm in length). These valves surrounded the binucleated sporoplasm cell and two equal ellipsoidal polar capsules (4.7 x 1.1 microm), which contained 10-11 (rarely 12) polar filament coils. The sporoplasm contained sporoplasmosomes with a laterally eccentric dense structure with a half-crescent section. Based on the data obtained by electron microscopy and on the host specificity, the spores differed from previously described Henneguya species, mainly in their shape and size, number and arrangement of the polar filament coils, and sporoplasmosome morphology.     

Kidney sphaerosporosis with extrasporogonic stages in the blood in Baryancistrus sp. (Loricaridae) from Amazonian Brazil

Examined fish of the genus Baryancistrus (Loricaridae) from Rio Xingu in central amazonian Brazil were found infected with extrasporogonic stages of Sphaerospora sp. (Myxosporea) in the blood and sporogonic stages in the glomeruli with the resulting escape of the sporogony products into the renal tubules, apparently when the mesangial tissue in the Bowman's capsule collapsed. Spores were seen evacuating via the urinary tubules. Blood stages were initially 2.1 x 2.8 to 2.8 x 2.8 microns in size, and when fully differentiated reached 5.6 x 5.6-5.6 x 7.0 microns; in blood smears they were 11.2 x 8.4 to 14 x 8.4 microns. Bisporoblasts in the glomerular taft were 9.8 x 7.0 microns, premature spores were 5.6 x 4.2-5.6 microns.     

A new species of coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the prairie racerunner, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus viridis (Sauria: Teiidae), in Arkansas.

Feces from 26 prairie racerunners, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus viridis Lowe, 1966, from Arkansas, were examined for coccidian parasites. One of these was found to be infected with oocysts of an undescribed eimerian, which is described herein as new. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria sexlineatus n. sp. were cylindrical, 30.4 x 17.1 (28-32 x 16-19) microns, with a shape index (length/width) of 1.8 (1.6-2.0). A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent but 1 (to several) polar granule(s) was present. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal, 10.7 x 8.5 (9.6-11.2 x 8.0-8.8) microns, with a shape index of 1.3 (1.2-1.4). A sporocyst residuum was present but Stieda, substieda, and parastieda bodies were absent. Sporozoites were elongate, 13.2 x 2.7 microns (12.0-14.4 x 2.4-3.2) in situ, containing a single, spherical posterior refractile body. Oocysts and endogenous developmental stages were found within the gall bladder epithelium of the infected lizard. This represents the first time a coccidian has been reported from a North American whiptail lizard.     

Myxobolus desaequalis n. sp. (Myxozoa,Myxosporea), parasite of the Amazonian freshwater fish,Apteronotus albifrons (Teleostei,Apteronotidae)

Myxobolus desaequalis n. sp. is described from the gill lamellae of the freshwater fish Apteronotus albifrons, collected in the Amazon River, near the city of Salvaterra, Brazil. Large spherical plasmodia filled with disporic pansporoblasts and spores were observed. Ellipsoidal to pyriform spores are 18.3 microm length x 11.2 microm width x 4.4 microm thickness. The anterior end of the spores contain two extremely unequal pyriform polar capsules measuring: (larger): 11.2 microm length, 4.9 microm width, and an isofilar polar filament with 11 to 12 turns obliquely to the longitudinal axis; (smaller): 4.6 microm length, 2.8 microm width, and an isofilar polar filament with 4 to 5 turns, obliquely to the longitudinal axis.     

Coccidia of Brazilian mammals: Eimeria marajoensis N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla (Xenarthra: Myrmecophagidae)

Feces from a juvenile specimen of the anteater Tamandua tetradactyla from Ponta de Pedras, Marajó, Pará, northern Brazil, contained three different coccidial oocysts: Eimeria tamanduae Lainson, 1968; E. corticulata Lainson & Shaw, 1990; and a third species previously unrecorded and described here as Eimeria marajoensis n. sp. Oocysts of the latter parasite are spherical to subspherical, 13.9 +/- 1.5 x 13.4 +/- 1.4 (11.1-16.5 x 11.1-16.5) microns, shape index (length/width) 1.0 (1.0-1.2). The oocyst wall is a single, colorless layer about 0.6-1.0 microns thick with no striations or micropyle. There is no oocyst residuum, but a single, round, oval or irregularly shaped polar granule of about 0.75-2.5 microns is consistently present. The sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 7.1 +/- 0.7 +/- 5.3 +/- 0.6 (6.0-8.8 x 4.0-5.7) microns, shape index 1.3 (1.2-1.5), with a delicate wall bearing minute stieda body. No sub-stieda body was visible. The sporocyst residuum consists of some 10-20 rounded granules, lying between the two slightly curved sporozoites which measure approximately 6.5 x 2.0 microns. Sporocyst refractile bodies were not discernable.     

Sphaerospora ictaluri N. Sp. (Myxosporea: Sphaerosphoridae) Observed in the Kidney of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque

Sphaerospores were found in the kidneys of alevin channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) from a farm in Central California. MulticelluUr developmental stages, similar to C-blood protozoans described for Sphaerospora spp. from cyprinid fishes, were observed in circulating blood and numerous tissues. Upon a 2nd examination of the same population offish 10 days later, sporogonic stages were seen developing into mature Sphaerospores in the lumina of the kidney tubules. Sporogeoesis was asynchronous with simple unicellular stages adjacent to more complex forms with developing polar capsules and valves. Only one elliptical spore (5.6 μm in width, 6.5 μm in thickness by 5.8 μm in length) developed within the surrounding pscudoplasmodium. Thin valves surrounded two sporoplasm cells and two subspherical polar capsules (1.7 × 1.9 μm) which contained a polar filament with four to five turns. The blood stages of the Sphaerospora sp. described here are similar to the trophozoites seen in channel catfish with proliferativc gill disease (PGD). Early stages of PGD also observed in the same population of channel catfish containing developmental and sporogonic stages of this newly recognized Sphaerospora sp. may suggest a causal relationship between this new myxosporean and the gill disease.     

Plasmodium kentropyxi n.sp. (Apicomplexa: Haemosporina: Plasmodiidae) and a Plasmodium tropiduri-like parasite in the lizard Kentropyx calcarata (Lacertilia: Teiidae) in north Brazil

Plasmodium kentropyxi n.sp. is described in the teiid lizard Kentropyx calcarata from north Brazil. Young asexual stages and gametocytes are at first polar in the erythrocyte but with elongation, move to a lateral position. Largest meronts seen contained from 30-40 nuclei and conspicuous greenish-black pigment granules located in a distinct vacuole. With growth the gametocytes eventually assume a smooth, curved cylindrical shape, with evenly rounded ends. Pigment is scattered or concentrated around a conspicuous vacuole which is slowly developed as the gametocytes mature. Mature male parasites measured 11.8 x 4.0 microns (9.6 x 4.2 - 13.2 x 3.6 microns), shape-index 2.9 (2.2 - 5.0), and females 13.5 x 4.5 microns (12.0 x 4.5 - 15.0 x 4.8 microns), shape-index 3.0 (2.2 - 3.8). Some larger meronts may slightly enlarge the erythrocyte, but most asexual stages and the mature gametocytes rarely do so. A second, P. tropiduri-like parasite encountered in K. calcarata possessed small rounded or fan-shaped meronts producing from 4-14 merozoites, and spherical to subspherical gametocytes of approximately 6.0 x 5.0 microns. The parasite was consistently polar in its position in the erythrocyte.     

Isospora mcquistioni and Isospora bioccai (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae): two new coccidian parasites from Carduelis sinica (Passeriformes, Fringillidae).

The following two species are described from Carduelis sinica (Greenfinch) from Italy. The oocysts of Isospora mcquistioni n. sp. were 26.0 x 22.6 (24.0-28.5 x 20.0-24.2) microns and ovoid with a smooth bilayered wall. Neither micropyle nor oocyst residuum were observed. One polar granule was found. Sporocysts were oval, 18.1 x 11.4 (16.0-19.8 x 11.0-12.0) microns, and with a symmetrical Stieda complex. The residuum was compact and spherical. Isospora bioccai n. sp. oocysts were spherical to subspherical and 24.0 x 23.6 (22.0-26.0 x 21.0-25.8) microns. The oocyst wall was smooth and bilayered. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent; 4 to 10 elongate polar granules were present. Sporocysts were 19.5 x 11.6 (18.0-20.0 x 10.0-12.4) microns, ellipsoidal, and with a symmetrical Stieda complex. The sporocyst residuum was diffuse and composed of a few granules.     

Light and Electron Microscope Observations On Presporogonic and Sporogonic Stages of Sphaerospora Epinepheli (Myxosporea) In Grouper (Epinephelus Malabaricus)

ABSTRACT. Presporogonic (blood) stages of Sphaerospora epinepheli Supamattaya, Fischer-Scherl. Hoffmann, Boonyaratpalin, 1990 were observed in the circulating blood, sinus of kidney, glomerurar capillaries and liver arteries of grouper Epinephelus malabaricus. the earliest detectable stage was a primary cell with one secondary cell. After cell divisions, nine to 16 secondary cells were found in one primary cell. Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense bodies (118-145 nm) in the cytoplasm of primary cells. Sporogonic stages and spores were located in Bowman's space and in kidney tubule lumens. Electron micrographs revealed a similar pattern of spore development as described from other Sphaerospora spp. Kidneys infected with S. epinepheli showed highly vacuolated tubular epithelial cells and severely affected renal corpuscles.     

Garnia karyolytica n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Haemosporina: Garniidae), a blood parasite of the Brazilian lizard Thecodactylus rapicaudus (Squamata: Gekkonidae).

Development of meronts and gametocytes of Garnia karyolytica nov. sp., is described in erythrocytes of the neotropical forest gecko Thecodactylus rapicaudus from Pará State, north Brazil. Meronts are round to subspherical and predominantly polar in position: forms reaching 12.0 x 10.0 microns contain from 20-28 nuclei. Macrogametocytes and microgametocytes are predominantly elongate, lateral in the erythrocyte and average 16.6 x 6.3 microns and 15.25 x 6.24 microns respectively. Occasional spherical forms of both sexes occur in a polar or lateropolar position. All stages of development are devoid of malarial pigment. They have a progressively lytic effect on the host-cell nucleus, particularly the mature gametocytes, which enlarge and deform the erythrocyte. Possible vector(s) of garniid parasites are considered, and phlebotomine sandflies are high on the list of suspects.     

Coccidia of Brazilian mammals: Eimeria corticulata n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the anteater Tamandua tetradactyla (Xenarthra: Myrmecophagidae) and Eimeria zygodontomyis n. sp. from the cane mouse Zygodontomys lasiurus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Feces from a specimen of Tamandua tetradactyla (Linn.) from Portel, Pará State, north Brazil, contained two different coccidial oocysts; one identified as Eimeria tamanduae Lainson 1968, and the other as a new species, described here as Eimeria corticulata n. sp. Oocysts of E. corticulata are ellipsoidal, 37.4 x 30.4 (31.2-43.7 x 23.7-35.0) microns, shape index (length/width) 1.2 (1.0-1.5). Oocyst wall 2.5-3.7 microns thick and composed of two layers; an outer thick, brown-yellow one with radial striations, and a thin inner smooth one: no visible micropyle. Oocyst residuum a large globule of about 10.7 x 10.3 microns, usually accompanied by a number of smaller attached globules. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 21.0 x 11.0 (20.0-22.5 x 10.0-12.5) microns, with a conspicuous Stieda body; shape index 1.9 (1.6-2.2). Sporocyst residuum a small number of scattered granules: sporozoites 18.7 x 5.0 microns, with a large posterior refractile body. Eimeria zygodontomyis n. sp. is described in feces from Zygodontomys lasiurus (Lund) from the Serra dos Carajás, Pará. Oocysts ellipsoidal to cylindrical, 16.5 x 12.0 (13.7-18.7 x 11.2-12.3) microns, shape index 1.4 (1.2-1.5). Wall colorless, smooth, single-layered and about 0.6 micron thick: no micropyle. No oocyst residuum, but a polar granule of about 1.8 x 1.0 microns is sometimes present. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 8.4 x 5.5 (7.5-8.7 x 5.0-6.2) microns, shape index 1.5 (1.4-1.7), with a thin colorless wall and a delicate Stieda body. Sporozoites enclose a compact residuum of about 2.5 x 3.7 microns.     

Hepatozoon species (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) of the corn snake,Elaphe guttata (Serpentes: Colubridae) and the pigmy rattlesnake,Sistrurus miliarius barbouri (Serpentes: Viperidae) in south Florida

Hepatozoon guttata n. sp. is described from the corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata) from south Florida. Gamonts average 14.6 x 4.6 (13-17 x 3.5-6) and are not recurved, with nucleus situated in the second quarter of the gamont. Erythrocyte cytoplasm rarely appears partially dehemoglobinized. The infected cells are usually distorted and are longer than the uninfected erythrocytes but do not differ in width; nuclei are smaller in length and width than those of uninfected cells. Sporogony in Aedes aegypti occurs within the head and the thorax but rarely in the abdomen. Oocysts are spherical to usually ovoid, 87.2 x 75.9 (45-155 x 40-152.5) and contain on average 7.1 (2-32) sporocysts. Sporocysts are spherical to ovoid, 34.8 x 31.0 (20-55 x 17.5-47.5), with 45.7 (14-89) sporozoites contained within. The pigmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri) in south Florida is parasitized by H. sistruri n. sp. Gamonts average 14.1 x 5.6 (12.6-15.8 x 4.7-6.3) in breadth and are not recurved, with the nucleus always situated in the second quarter of the gamont commonly at the midbody. Erythrocyte cytoplasm is not dehemoglobinized. The infected cells are always distorted and similar in length to the uninfected cells but with greater width and enlarged nuclei. Sporogony in A. aegypti occurs within head, thorax, and abdomen. Oocysts are spherical to usually ovoid, 163.6 x 154.7 (92-245 x 82-240) and contain 27.4 (12-42) sporocysts. Sporocysts are round to usually ovoid, 39.7 x 33.5 (25-50 x 20-50), with 45.7 (19-70) sporozoites.     

Eimeria cryptotis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the least shrew, Cryptotis parva (Insectivora: Soricidae), in north-central Texas

From March through November 1987, 14 least shrews, Cryptotis parva (Say), were collected in portions of north-central Texas and examined for coccidian parasites; only 1 (7.1%) was found to be passing oocysts. Eimeria cryptotis n. sp. is described herein as new and represents the only coccidian reported thus far from C. parva. Sporulated oocysts are subspherical, 16.4 x 15.3 (14-18 x 13-17) microns; shape index 1.1 (1.0-1.2) microns. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is present. The sporocysts are ovoid, 10.6 x 7.0 (9-11 x 6-8) microns; shape index 1.5 (1.4-1.8) microns. Stieda and substieda bodies and a sporocyst residuum are present. The sporozoites are elongate and only 2 could be observed well enough to measure (11.2 x 2.4 and 8.8 x 2.4 microns) because they are normally obscured by the sporocyst residuum. Sporozoites lack refractile bodies and contain a centrally located nucleus. The new species can be distinguished from the majority of insectivore coccidia on the basis of oocyst size.     

Glugea vincentiae n. sp. (Microsporidia: Glugeidae) infecting the Australian marine fish Vincentia conspersa (Teleostei: Apogonidae)

A parasite of the marine fish Vincentia conspersa was examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. This parasite develops in the subcutaneous tissue of the body and fins, forming spherical xenomas about 1-2 mm in diameter surrounded by a layer of amorphous material. The observed characteristics of the new parasite are in line with those of the other Glugea species; merogony takes place in the outer zone of the cytoplasm of the host cell, sporogony takes place in sporophorous vesicles, and mature spores are located in the central part of the xenoma. Meronts were cylindrical uninucleate or occasionally triradiate multinucleate, with plasmodia in direct contact with the host cytoplasm. Sporogonic plasmodia divided by multiple cleavage to produce sporoblast mother cells, which after binary fission became sporoblasts. Two types of spores were recognized, both uninucleate, i.e., ovoid or slightly ovoid microspores with a mean size of 5.1 x 2.2 microm and much less frequent as elongated oval macrospores with a mean size of 8.9 x 3.1 microm. The polar tube has between 12 and 14 coils arranged in 1, 2, or 3 layers. Taken together, these characteristics suggest that this microsporidian infecting V. conspersa is a new species of Glugea, which we have named Glugea vincentiae.