Fine structure of Chloromyxum menticirrhi n. sp. (Myxozoa) infecting the urinary bladder of the marine teleost Menticirrhus americanus (Sciaenidae) in Southern Brazil

A myxosporidian was found in the urinary bladder of the teleost Menticirrhus americanus Linnaeus, 1758 (Sciaenidae) collected from the South Atlantic coast of Brazil. Polysporic amoeboid plasmodia containing sporoblasts, developing pansporoblasts and spores were free in the bladder lumen. The prevalence of infection was 17.64% (15/85). Unfixed spores were spherical to subspherical, on average 10.5 μm long, 9.8 μm wide and 10.1 μm thick (n=25), and fixed spores measured 10.1×9.5×9.7 μm. The two spore valves were of equal size and each possessed prominent sutural lines and about 41 (37–45) surface ridges aligned parallel with the suture line. These ridges gave transverse sections a cog-wheel-like outline. The spores contained four pyriform polar capsules of equal size (3.20×2.0 μm) (n=25) (fixed), each with a polar filament having 3–4 (rarely 5) coils. The binucleate sporoplasm was irregular in shape, with granular matrix and randomly distributed dense bodies. The shape and dimensions of the spore, as well as the number, position and arrangement of the surface ridges, polar capsules and polar filament indicate that this is a new species, herein designated Chloromyxum menticirrhi. The gill, liver, gall bladder and intestine of the host showed no abnormalities.     

Pleistophora finisterrensis n. sp., a microsporidian parasite of blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou

Pleistophora finisterrensis n. sp. is a microsporidian parasite of the hypoaxial musculature of the blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou (Risso). Foci of infection are between 3 and 6 mm in length and have no evident effects on adjacent muscle fibres. We found only a single type of spore (uninucleate, with mean dimensions of 4×2 µm in fresh preparations), contained within sporophorous vesicles (mean diameter 19 µm in fresh preparations; 150–250 spores per vesicle). All of the development stages of this microsporidian are monokaryotic. The meronts are initially uninucleate and bounded by a plasmalemma. Towards the end of merogony, meronts are multinucleate plasmodia with a well-defined surface coat. Sporogony is polysporous, with multinucleate sporonts, which likewise have a well-defined surface coat (about 130 nm thick), dividing by plasmotomy to give rise to uninucleate sporoblasts. The polar tube is isofilar and consists of 8–9 turns in the posterior half of spore. The polaroplast is made up of an anterior lamellar part and a posterior vesicular part.     

Chaetosphaeria tortuosa, the newly discovered teleomorph of Menispora tortuosa, with a key to known Menispora species

Chaetosphaeria tortuosa is described as the newly discovered teleomorph of Menispora tortuosa, based on specimens from Canada and the Czech Republic, and single spore isolations from both morphs. The fungus produces superficial, more or less globose, papillate, dark brown to black smooth perithecia (200–)220–250 × (220–)230–260 μm. The asci are unitunicate, 8-spored, cylindrical-fusiform, (110–)120–133(–145) × 12–14 with a distinct apical, nonamyloid annulus 1–1.5 μm high, 3.5–4 μm wide. The ascospores are fusiform, 19–24 × 5–6 μm, hyaline, 3-septate, smooth, and 2-seriate in the ascus. The morphology of the teleomorph and anamorph are similar to that of C. ovoidea (anamorph: M. glauca), differing in dimensions of asci and ascospores, and in the disposition and morphology of the phialides of the anamorphs. The generic concept and phylogeny of Menispora is briefly discussed, and a key to the 11 species currently accepted in the genus is provided.     

Occurrence of a New Microsporidan: Enterocytozoon bieneusi n. g., n. sp., in the Enterocytes of a Human Patient with AIDS1

A new microsporidium is reported infesting the enterocytes of a Haitian patient with AIDS. The stages observed were diplokaryotic cells, sporogonial plasmodia, unikaryotic sporoblasts, and spores. Neither a sporophorous vesicle (pansporoblastic membrane) nor parasitophorous vacuole were differentiated around the developmental stages, which were in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm. The polar tube (5-6 coils) was differentiated before fission of the sporogonial plasmodium. The mature spores measured 1.5 m?m × 0.5 m?. The spore wall was very thin as the endospore was absent or poorly differentiated. The organism is named Enterocytozoon bieneusi n. g., n. sp. and is assigned to the suborder Apansporoblastina.     

Unicapsula seriolae n. sp. (Myxosporea,Multivalvulida) from Australian Yellowtail Kingfish Seriola lalandi1

Unicapsula seriolae n. sp. forms long plasmodia within the striated muscle fibers of Seriola lalandi off eastern Australia. Its spores are composed of three valves, only one of which contains a developed polar capsule. Within the capsule, the filament makes 2 1/2–3 turns, and this criterion can be used to separate U. seriolae from the two other members of the genus. The flesh of infected fish disintegrates during slow cooking.     

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 μ) 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 μ (length) × 9.6 μ (width) × 9.9 μ (length), and at the anterior end contain two spherical, divergent polar capsules measuring 4.6 ( 4.1 –5.1) μ. 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, multinucleate plasmodia are formed. No significant histopathological changes were observed in the kidneys of infected fish.     

Two New Species of Myxozoa, Myxobolus inaequus sp. n. and Henneguya theca sp. n. from the Brain of a South American Knife Fish, Eigemannia virescens (V.)

Two new species of Myxozoa from the brain of the green knife fish Eigemannia virescens are described: Myxobolus inaequus sp. n. has an unusually large spore body and extremely unequal polar capsules, and Henneguya theca sp. n. has an attenuated spore encased in a sheath not previously described in other Myxozoa. Only spores of the two species were observed, and infections caused no obvious pathological changes in the brain.     

Soybean and sunflower oils increase the infectivity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene to Northern Jointvetch

Soybean and sunflower oils increased the level of infection of northern jointvetch, Aeschynomene virginica, plants by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene. Inoculation of seedlings with spore suspensions containing 10% (v:v) soybean oil or 10% sunflower oil resulted in more disease than when inoculated with suspensions of spores in water alone. The lengths of the dew periods required to establish equivalent levels of disease by spore suspensions containing 10% soybean or 10% sunflower oil were approximately 4–8 h less compared to aqueous suspensions. Incubation of spores in 10% soybean oil followed by removal and resuspension in water did not affect the infectivity of spores when compared to spores incubated in aqueous suspensions. Spore germination and appressoria formation were unaffected by either of the oils tested in in vitro assays; however, in in vivo assays, 10% soybean oil and 10% sunflower oil increased spore germination in comparison to spores that were suspended in water.     

Structure and Development of a Marine Actinosporean, Sphaeractinomyxon ersei n. sp. (Myxozoa)

ABSTRACT This is the first ultrastructural study of the development of a marine actinosporean and of a species belonging to the genus Sphaeractinomyxon Caullery & Mesnil, 1904. S. ersei n. sp. is described from a limnodriloidine oligochaete, Doliodrilus diverticulatus Erséus, 1985, from Moreton Bay. Queensland, Australia. Development is asynchronous, there being all stages from two-celled pansporoblasts through to mature spores present simultaneously within a host. Spores develop in groups of eight within pansporoblasts in the coelom and when mature are located also in the intestinal lumen. The primordial spore envelope and sporoplasm develop separately in the pansporoblast until the polar filament is formed within the polar capsule and the capsulogenic cell cytoplasm has begun to degrade. The sporoplasm then enters the spore through a separated valve junction. Mature spores are triradially symmetrical with three centrally located polar capsules and a single binucleate sporoplasm with about 46 germ cells. Swellings or projections of the epispore do not occur when spores exit the host and contact sea water.     

A skin disease of the eels caused by Myxobolus kotlami n. sp.

In elvers (Anguilla anguilla) imported yearly to a fish farm in Hungary the regular occurrence of a Myxobolus infection was recorded. The parasite produces oval or spherical plasmodia of 0.1–0.2·0.07–0.12mm in the subcutaneous and intermuscular connective tissue of the head. In each piasmodium about 200 to 400 spores develop which differ morphologically from the spores of all Myxobolus species known from the eel and other fishes. Based upon the characteristic location of plasmodia and spore morphology, this parasite is described as a new species, Myxobolus kotlani.     

Kudoa cerebralis sp. n. (Myxosporidea,Chloromyxidae) from the Striped Bass,Morone saxatilis (Walbaum)*

Kudoa cerebralis sp. n. is described from connective tissue of the nervous system in the striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), from the southern Chesapeake Bay area. This is the first time the genus Kudoa has been found in association with the nervous system. The polar view mean diameter of the spores was 7.0 μm and the polar capsule mean length was 3.7 μm.     

Studies on the morphology and taxonomy of three new myxosporeans of the genus Sinuolinea Davis, 1917 (Myxosporea: Sinuolineidae) infecting the urinary bladder of some marine fishes from the Shandong coast,China

The morphology and taxonomy of three new species of myxosporeans (Myxosporea: Sinuolineidae), Sinuolinea shandongensis n. sp., S. argyrosomi n. sp. and S. platycephali n. sp., parasitising marine fishes collected from the Yellow Sea off the coast of southeast Shandong, China, were investigated. These species, including spores and plasmodia, were found in the urinary bladder of their hosts. The diagnostic features of the new species are as follows. S. shandongensis n. sp. from Nibea albiflora: monosporous and disporous plasmodia, 29–37 × 29–27 m; spore inversely pyramidal or spherical, with smooth surface and fine, highly sinuous sutural line, 16.4±2.4 (15–20) × 16.1±1.1 (15–18) m; two spherical polar capsules located anteriorly and conspicuously separated from each other, 4.8±0.3 (4.5–5.5) m in diameter; length of polar filament 59–61 m; coelozoic. S. argyrosomi n. sp. from Argyrosomus argentatus: monosporous plasmodium, (33–42) × (24–25) m; spore subspherical to spherical, with smooth surface and highly sinuous sutural line, 18.1±1.0 (17–20) × 19.8±1.3 (18–22) m; two spherical polar capsules located anteriorly and conspicuously separated from each other, 4.4±0.2 (4–5) m in diameter; length of polar filament 47–50 m; coelozoic. S. platycephali n. sp. from Platycephalus indicus: monosporous, disporous and polyporous plasmodia, 25–42 × 17–31 m; spore spherical with smooth surface and highly sinuous sutural line, 14.5±0.5 (14–15) m in diameter; two spherical polar capsules located anteriorly and conspicuously separated from each other, 4.3±0.2 (4–4.5) m in diameter; coelozoic.     

Ultrastructural data on the spore of Myxobolus maculatus n. sp. (phylum Myxozoa), parasite from the Amazonian fish Metynnis maculatus (Teleostei)

Light and electron microscopy studies of a myxosporean, parasitic in the intertubular interstitial tissue of the kidney of the freshwater teleost fish Metynnis maculatus Kner, 1860 (Characidae) from the lower Amazon River (Brazil), are described. We observed polysporic histozoic plasmodia delimited by a double membrane and with several pinocytic channels and containing several life cycle stages, including mature spores. The spore body was of pyriform shape and was 21.0 microm long, 8.9 microm wide and 7.5 microm thick. Elongated-pyriform polar capsules were of equal size (12.7 x 3.2 microm) and contained a polar filament with 14 or 15 coils. The spore features fit those of the genus Myxobolus. Densification of the capsular primordium matrix, which increased in density from the inner core outwards, differentiating at the periphery into small microfilaments measuring 45 nm each, and tubuli arranged in aggregates and dispersed within the capsular matrix of the mature spores, are described. Based on the morphological differences and specificity of the host, we propose the creation of a new species named Myxobolus maculatus n. sp.     

Myxobolus insignis sp. n. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea, Myxobolidae), a parasite of the Amazonian teleost fish Semaprochilodus insignis (Osteichthyes, Prochilodontidae)

A new myxosporean species is described from the fish Semaprochilodus insignis captured from the Amazon River, near Manaus. Myxobolus insignis sp. n. was located in the gills of the host forming plasmodia inside the secondary gill lamellae. The spores had a thick wall (1.5-2 microm) all around their body, and the valves were symmetrical and smooth. The spores were a little longer than wide, with rounded extremities, in frontal view, and oval in lateral view. They were 14.5 (14-15) microm long by 11.3 (11-12) microm wide and 7.8 (7-8) microm thick. Some spores showed the presence of a triangular thickening of the internal face of the wall near the posterior end of the polar capsules. This thickening could occur in one of the sides of the spore or in both sides. The polar capsules were large and equal in size surpassing the midlength of the spore. They were oval with the posterior extremity rounded, and converging anteriorly with tapered ends. They were 7.6 (7-8) microm long by 4.2 (3-5) microm wide, and the polar filament formed 6 coils slightly obliquely to the axis of the polar capsule. An intercapsular appendix was present. There was no mucous envelope or distinct iodinophilous vacuole.     

Light and electron microscopical data on the spores of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thelohanellus rhabdalestus</Emphasis> n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea), a parasite of a freshwater fish from the Kwanza River,Angola

The myxosporean Thelohanellus rhabdalestus n. sp. (Myxozoa: Bivalvulida), a parasite of the freshwater fish Rhabdalestes maunensis (Fower) collected from the Kwanza River, Angola, is described based on light and electron microscopical studies. The parasite occurs in irregular, milky-whitish, cyst-like plasmodia (up to 0.8 mm in diameter) in close contact with the liver and heart. The spores are pyriform, with slight tapering anterior and round posterior ends, and measure 16.8 ± 0.5 μm (n = 50) long, 10.2 ± 0.6 μm (n = 50) wide and 5.6 ± 0.8 μm (n = 25) thick. The spore wall is partly surrounded by a discontinuous, closely adhered, external coat of electron-dense material of variable thickness (up to c.35 nm). A single flask-shaped polar capsule [7.2 ± 0.3 μm (n = 50) long and 4.0 ± 0.4 μm (n = 50) in diameter] lies close to the apex of the spores and contains a polar filament with six or seven (rarely eight) coils oblique to its longitudinal axis. Based on morphological and ultrastructural differences, compared with other members of Thelohanellus Kudo, 1933, and judging from the host-specificity of previously described species, we consider this species new to science. This is the first reported myxosporean from the Angolan fauna.     

Rediscovery and redescription of the marine peritrichous ciliate Epicarchesium abrae (Precht, 1935) nov. comb. (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Peritrichia)

The morphology, infraciliature and silverline system of the marine peritrichous ciliate, Epicarchesium abrae (Precht, 1935) nov. comb., isolated from an abalone-farming pond off the coast of Qingdao, China, are investigated. E. abrae is characterized by: size of zooid in vivo 68 μm×48 μm on average; macronucleus usually J-shaped; one dorsally-located contractile-vacuole; colony regularly dichotomously branched with 4–16 zooids; total number of transverse silverlines 62–72, from peristome to aboral ciliary wreath 41–47, from aboral ciliary wreath to scopula 21–25; outer kinety of peniculus 3 prolonged and converges with peniculus 1.     

Rhabdias rhampholeonis n. sp. and Rhabdias mariauxi n. sp. (Nematoda, Rhabdiasoidea), first lung worms from leaf chameleons: Description, molecular evidence and notes on biology

Rhabdias rhampholeonis n. sp. from Rhampholeon (Rh.) spectrum, Cameroon, and Rhabdias mariauxi n. sp. from Rieppeleon brevicaudatus, Tanzania, are the first lung worms from leaf chameleons. The new species are similar to the majority of species parasitic in chamaeleonids by having a long (≥10 mm) and thick body (≥500 µm), long oesophagus (≥800 µm), wide buccal capsule (≥40 µm) and low buccal ratio (<0.5). They most closely resemble Rhabdias chamaeleonis and Rhabdias cristati parasitic in Trioceros spp. from East Africa and Cameroon, respectively. Main distinctive characters are a buccal capsule composed of two segments and the head shape. The dorso-ventrally flattened buccal capsule of R. mariauxi n. sp. is unique in Rhabdias parasitising Chamaeleonidae. Sequences of the 12S rDNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (coxI) genes were obtained and compared to those of Rhabdias okuensis, the only sequences published for chamaeleonid lung worms. The smallest nucleotide interspecific distances were found between R. mariauxi n. sp. and the former species of Trioceros from Cameroon. Hermaphroditism in females in the lungs, and R. mariauxi n. sp. free-living stages are like in other species from Chamaeleonidae, but the number of infective larvae produced per free-living female (one or two) was not fixed.     

Intradiurnal periodicity of fungal spore concentrations (Alternaria, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Didymella, Ganoderma) in Cracow, Poland

Aerobiological monitoring enables the definition of seasonal fungal spore concentrations and also intradiurnal time when the highest concentrations of spores could cause or increase allergy symptoms. These data are useful to estimate symptoms of disease, duration of infection and how advanced the illness is in people suffering from fungal allergens. The aim of the study was to compare the concentrations of fungal spores (Alternaria, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Didymella, Ganoderma) during dry and rainy periods and to analyse their intradiurnal changes. Average daily spore concentrations in dry and rainy periods were compared, using z test, separately for each taxon, season and for a combined 3-year period. Intradiurnal periodicity of fungal spore concentrations was analysed on the basis of three complementary diagrams. These spore concentrations were presented using three curves for all, dry and rainy days in 1997–1999 (April–November). The spore percentage in particular hours was normalized in relation to the daily spore sum accepted as 100%. Two further diagrams enabled the more precise analysis of the highest concentrations in dry days. Daily Botrytis and Cladosporium spore concentrations did not show significant differences between dry and rainy periods. In the case of Didymella and Ganoderma spore concentrations, there were no significant differences between both weather types in the single years, although there was a significant difference when a 3-year period was considered. The differences between daily concentrations of Alternaria spores in dry and rainy periods occurred in 1997 and in a 3-year period. Intradiurnal periodicity of spore concentrations was different for ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ fungal spores. Dry spores are released from the spore-producing parts of the fungus under conditions of decreasing humidity and increasing airflow. Examples of dry spores are those from Alternaria, Cladosporium and Botrytis. Wet spores, such as those from many Ascomycetes (Didymella) and Basidiomycetes (Ganoderma), are released into the atmosphere by processes related to humidity conditions or rain. The highest concentrations of ‘dry’ spores were observed early in the afternoon, while highest values of ‘wet’ spore concentrations occurred in the predawn hours. Statistically non-significant differences between daily spore concentrations in dry and rainy periods of single seasons were found except for Alternaria. Statistically significant differences could occur when the studied period was longer than one season (Alternaria, Didymella, Ganoderma). The highest concentrations of Alternaria, Botrytis and Cladosporium spores were recorded at noon and early in the afternoon. Concentrations of Didymella and Ganoderma spores were highest in the predawn hours.     

Light and ultrastructural description of Meglitschia mylei n. sp. (myxozoa) from Myleus rubripinnis (Teleostei: Serrasalmidae) in the Amazon River system

Meglitschia mylei n. sp. found in the gall bladder of the teleostean fish Myleus rubripinnis (Serrasalmidae) from the middle Amazonian region of Brazil is described using light and transmission electron microscopy. The spores observed in the bile averaged 24.6±0.8 μm long, 8.7±0.4 μm wide and 5.1±0.3 μm thick and were strongly furcate and arcuate ∩-shaped composed of two symmetric equal-sized valves, up to ～70 nm thick. Each valve possessed one opposed tapering appendage, 20.1±0.7 μm long, oriented parallel towards the basal tip of the appendages and joined along a right suture line forming a thick strand. The strand goes around the central part of the spore, which in turn surrounds two equal and symmetric spherical polar capsules (PC), 2.1±0.3 μm in diameter, located at the same level. Each capsule contains a polar filament with five (rarely six) coils. The binucleate sporoplasm was irregular in shape, contained several sporoplasmosomes, ～175 nm in diameter and filled all the space of the two caudal appendages. Based on the arc shape of the spore with two tapering caudal appendages oriented to the basis of spores, on the number and position of the PC and of the polar filament coils and arrangements, and on the host specificity, we propose the name M. mylei n. sp. for this new myxozoan. Accordingly, this is the second described species of this genus.