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.     

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.     

Parvicapsula bicornis n. sp. and P. limandae n. sp. (Myxozoa, Parvicapsulidae) in Pleuronectidae (Teleostei, Heterosomata) from Denmark

Two species of Parvicapsula were found in the kidney tubules and the urinary bladder of 2 pleuronectid fish from the northern Oresund, Denmark. The coelozoic, spherical, disporic trophozoites of both species are 10 to 12 pm in diameter. The myxospores of both species are elongate, asymmetrical and slightly curved, and have spherical polar capsules. Parvicapsula bicornis n. sp. (6-8 x 5-6 microm, polar capsule 2.5 microm in diameter) occurs in Pleuronectes platessa. The polar capsules of P. bicornis are arranged symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal axis and its spores differ from other species of Parvicapsula in having two 2-3 microm long posterior processes of different length. Parvicapsula limandae n. sp. (8-11 x 4-5 pm, polar capsule 1.6 microm in diameter) is found in Limanda limanda. The polar capsules are arranged along the longitudinal axis. It differs from Parvicapsula unicornis Kabata, 1962, recorded from L. limanda, in the arrangement of the polar capsules and in the absence of a posterior horn-like projection. The phylogenetic relationship between P. bicornis n. sp., P. limandae n. sp. and other Parvicapsula spp. was examined with their partial small subunit rDNA (SSU rDNA) sequences. P. limandae n. sp. and P. asymmetrica appear to be closely related, while P. bicornis n. sp. and P. minibicornis are the most divergent members of the genus.     

Ultrastructure of Triangulamyxa amazonica n. gen. and n. sp. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea), a parasite of the Amazonian freshwater fish, Sphoeroides testudineus (Teleostei, Tetrodontidae)

Triangulamyxa amazonica n. gen. and n. sp. (Myxozoa, Ortholineidae), found in the lumen of the intestine of the freshwater fish Sphoeroides testudineus, is described. The fish were collected from the Amazon River near the city of Algodoal, State of the Pará, Brazil. Numerous irregular plasmodia containing different stages of sporogony, including spores, were observed. The plasmodia were lying free in the lumen or had slender pseudopodia-like cytoplasmic processes in contact with intestinal epithelial cells with microvilli projections. Spores, which are equilaterally triangular in valvar view with rounded pointed ends and ellipsoidal in transverse section, are 8.5 μm long, 7.6 μm wide, and 3.8 μm thick. The anterior end of the spores contains two equal drop-shaped polar capsules measuring 2.6 μm in length, each having an isofilar polar filament with 5–6 turns. The characteristics of the spore shape, the spore wall structure and its ridge organization, the plasmodial characteristics and the identity of the host suggest that the parasite is a new genus and species, which is herein designated T. amazonica.     

Morphometeric criteria and partial sequence of the 18S rRNA gene of Ceratomyxa sultani n. sp. from the gallbladder of Upeneus margarethae in the Arabian Gulf,with a note on its seasonal prevalence

This paper describes a new coelozoic myxosporean parasite named Ceratomyxa sultani n. sp. isolated from the gallbladder of Upeneus margarethae sourced from the Arabian Gulf off Saudi Arabia. Of 104 U. margarethae specimens examined, 27 (26%) were infected, with the highest prevalence in winter and lowest in autumn. The pseudoplasmodia were disporous and irregularly elliptical in shape, with an average size of 22?×?17?μm. Mature spores were mostly elliptical with symmetrical valves and equal spherical polar capsules. Spores were 9?µm in length and 25?µm in thickness, while polar capsules were 4?µm wide with four filament coils. The paper further provides a morphological comparison with closely related Ceratomyxa spp. together with phylogenetic analysis based on the partial 18S rRNA sequence, which revealed that C. sultani n. sp. clustered within a robust clade of Ceratomyxa species from the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea or nearby geographic regions.     

Two New Species of Plistophora (Microsporida,Nosematidae) in Decapods,with Particular Reference to One in the Blue Crab*

SYNOPSIS. Plistophora cargoi n. sp., found in the muscles of Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, is described. Spores are ellipsoidal and about 3.3 by 5.1 μ when alive. The coiled polar filament is PAS positive. When extruded the filament appears thick throughout most of its length but has a short and fine terminal portion. The sporont gives rise to many (32 to more than 100) spores. P. sp. Sogandares-Bernal, 1962, found in the muscles of the fresh water crayfish Cambarellus puer Hobbs, is given the name P. sogandaresi n. sp.     

Novel Myxobolus and Ellipsomyxa species (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) parasiting Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) in the Amazon basin,Brazil

We describe two novel myxosporean parasites from Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, an economically important freshwater catfish from the Amazon basin, Brazil. Myxobolus tapajosi n. sp., was found in the gill filaments of 23.5% of 17 fish, with myxospores round to oval in frontal view and biconvex in lateral view: length 15 (13.5–17) μm and width 10.7 (9.6–11.4) μm; polar capsules equal, length 5.8 (4.6–7.1) μm and width 3 (2.3–3.8) μm containing polar tubules with 6–7 turns. Ellipsomyxa amazonensis n. sp. myxospores were found floating freely or inside plasmodia in the gall bladder of 23.5% of fish. The myxospores were ellipsoidal with rounded extremities: length 12.8 (12.3–13.6) μm and width 7.6 (6.7–8.7) μm; with two equal, slightly pyriform polar capsules, length 3.8 (3.8–4.0) μm and width 3.1 (2.5–3.4) μm, containing polar tubules with 2–3 turns. We combined spore morphometry, small-subunit ribosomal DNA data, specific host, and phylogenetic analyses, to identify both of these parasites as new myxozoan species. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses showed that Myxobolus tapajosi n. sp. clustered in a basal branch in a subclade of parasites from exclusively South American pimelodid fishes. Ellipsomyxa amazonensis n. sp. clustered within the marine Ellipsomyxa lineage, but we suspect that although the parasite was collected in freshwater, its hosts perform a large migration throughout the Amazon basin and may have become infected from a brackish/marine polychaete host during the estuary phase of its life.     

Goussia girellae N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriorina) in the Opaleye,Girella nigricans1

ABSTRACT Goussia girellae n. sp. is described from the opaleye fish, Girella nigricans. Merogonic stages were observed in the apices of intestinal epithelial cells, in the lamina propria, and in extra-intestinal sites including liver, gills, and spleen. Gamonts were observed in the intestinal epithelial cells. Only unsporulated oocysts were detected in the intestine, and sporulation occurred when feces containing oocysts were incubated for 48 h in seawater at 21°C. Oocysts are elongated (24.8 × 14.7 μm) with a wall about 200 nm thick and have no residuum, micropyle, or polar granule. Sporocysts are ellipsoid (8.5 × 4.5 μm), have a thin two-layered wall approximately 30 nm thick, and consist of two valves joined by a suture. Although moribund opaleye were also infected with Gyrodactylus sp., Cryptobia sp., Cardicola sp., and epitheliocystis organisms (chlamydia), all fish were heavily infected with G. girellae and morbidity was thus attributed to the coccidium.     

Pyrotheca hydropsycheae N. Sp., a Microsporidian Parasite of Caddis Fly Larvae,Hydropsyche siltalai Döhler, 1963 (Trichoptera,Hydropsychidae)1

ABSTRACT. Pyrotheca hydropsycheae n. sp. is described from caddis fly larvae, Hydropsyche siltalai Döhler, 1963. All stages were found in oenocytes and fat body cells. Meronts were uni- or binucleate with simple surface membranes. The sporogonic stages were recognized ultrastructurally by the separation of an envelope, the sporophorous vesicle, from their surfaces. Mature sporogonial plasmodia were tetranucleate and gave rise by longitudinal fission to four uninucleate elongate sporoblasts with polar nuclei. Spores were lageniform with an inflated posterior end, containing the polar tube coils and the nucleus, and a narrow anterior section comprising two-thirds of the length, containing the polaroplast and straight part of the polar tube. The polaroplast consisted of an anterior region of loosely packed membranes arranged as partitions at angles to one another and a posterior region of increasingly closely packed parallel membranes. The spore wall consisted of an electron-dense exospore with a fuzzy coat and a thin electron-lucent endospore. All four spores derived from a sporont faced in the same direction in the sporophorous vesicle. Spores measured 8.7 μm long and extruded polar filaments were about 20 μm.     

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.     

Sphaeromyxa maiyai sp. n. (Protozoa: Myxosporidea), Coelozoic Parasite of the Pacific Tomcod,Microgadus proxiimus*

SYNOPSIS. Sphaeromyxa maiyai sp. n. (Myxosporidea: Myxiidae) is described from the gall bladder of the Pacific tomcod Microgadus proximus Girard, from Newport, Oregon. The plasmodial stage is discoid averaging between 1 and 2 cm. The spore averages 27.6 × 5.6 μm in breadth, with pyriform polar capsules measuring 9.3 × 3.7 μm. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the presence of numerous longitudinal striations.     

Myxobolus myleus n. sp. infecting the bile of the Amazonian freshwater fish Myleus rubripinnis (Teleostei: Serrasalmidae): morphology and pathology

Myxobolus myleus n. sp. is described from the gall-bladder of the freshwater fish Myleus rubripinnis collected near the city of Oriximiná in the Amazon System, Brazil. The spores obtained from the bile contained two equal symmetrical and smooth valves, each forming the spore wall. The spores were large, with a cone-like form, a semi spherical basal contour and measured (in μm) 19.3 ± 0.5 (n = 25) × 8.3 ± 0.5 (n = 25) × 4.0 ± 0.3 (n = 15). The apical end of the spores contained two elongate, equal and pointed conical polar capsules measuring 13.2 ± 0.4 μm (n = 25) in length and 3.0 ± 0.3 μm (n = 15) in width, each having a slightly tapering polar filament with 19 to 21 turns. The polar capsules were extended below at about 4/5 of the total length of the spores. The sporoplasm was binucleate and contained some sporoplasmosomes. All infected fish presented hypertrophy of the gall-bladder due to presence of the brownish parasite floating in the bile. In this paper we describe this new species of myxosporean based on light and ultrastructural observations, together with its associated pathology.     

Sphaerospora ovophila N. Sp. and Myxobolus algonquinensis N. Sp. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea), Ovarian Parasites of Fish from Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT. Sphaerospora ovophila n. sp. and Myxobolus algonquinensis n. sp., found in the ovary of the pumpkinseed ( Lepomis gibbosus ) and the golden shiner ( Noremigonus crysoleucas ) respectively from Algonquin Park, Ontario, are described using light and electron microscopy. Ovoid cysts of S. ovophila measured up to 500 pm in length. Monosporic pseudoplasmodia were ovoid or ellipsoid in shape and measured up to 12.5 pm in length. Spores were 7.2–8.4 pm long × 6.0–7.0 pm wide (in sutural plane) × 7.4–8.2 pm thick (perpendicular to sutural plane), with two subspherical polar capsules of equal size measuring 2.7–3.2 × 2.6–3.1 pm and each of which contained a polar filament with 6–7 coils. The spore had a straight sutural ridge which protruded slightly at the anterior end and contained two uninucleate sporoplasms. The spore valve had ornate folds on the posterior end. Cysts of M. algonquinensis ranged from ovoid to elongated ellipsoid in shape and measured up to 800 pm in length. Mature spores measured 13.G15.7 pm long × 10.1–12.1 pm wide × 5.0–6.9 pm thick. with two pyriform polar capsules of equal size measuring 5.1–5.5 pm × 2.5–2.9 pm, each of which contained a polar filament with 4–6 coils. The spores of M. algonquinensis had smooth valves, a straight sutural ridge and a distinct small intercapsular appendix.     

Haemogregarina faiyumensis n. sp. in the Toad Bufo regularis in Egypt*

SYNOPSIS. Haemogregarina faiyumensis n. sp., a parasite of toads, Bufo regularis, in Faiyuni Province, Egypt, U.A.R., is described. In a survey of 689 toads from various localities in Cairo, Giza and Faiyurn provinces, only 3 out of 13 toads from Kom O Shim near Faiyum were infected. This species, known only by blood forms (most probably gametocytes) of two different staining reactions, is 13-17 μ long and 4-5 μ wide, with an average of 15.5 × 4.5 μ. The nucleus is typically subcircular and 3-5 × 3–5 μ, with an average of 4.5 × 3.9 μ.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myxobolus imparfinis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea), a new gill parasite of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Imparfinis mirini</Emphasis> Haseman (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) in Brazil

A new species of myxozoan, Myxobolus imparfinis n. sp. is described based on material from the gills of Imparfinis mirini (Haseman) (Heptapteridae). Mature myxospores are round, measuring 7.1–8.4 (7.9 ± 0.3) μm in length, 4.5–6.2 (5.5 ± 0.5) μm in width and 3.1–4.2 (3.7 ± 0.3) μm in thickness. The polar capsules are of unequal size, the larger polar capsule measuring 3.4–4.5 (3.9 ± 0.3) μm in length and 1.4–2.0 (1.7 ± 0.1) μm in width and the smaller capsule measuring 3.1–3.8 (3.4 ± 0.2) μm in length and 1.2–1.8 (1.5 ± 0.2) μm in width. The polar filament presents 6–7 coils. Spores had a prevalence of infection of 75% (6/8). In histological analyses we detected the development site of spores in primary filaments, in afferent branchial artery, thus classifying the type of infection to the filamental type and vascular subtype. The phylogenetic analyses of a dataset including species Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 and Henneguya Thélohan, 1892 from South America recovered M. imparfinis n. sp. as a sister species of Myxobolus flavus Carriero, Adriano, Silva, Ceccarelli & Maia, 2013. To our knowledge, this is the first record of a myxozoan species parasitising I. mirini.     

Lankesteria barretti n. sp. (Eugregarinida,Diplocystidae), a Parasite of the Mosquito Aedes triseriatus (Say) and a Review of the Genus Lankesteria Mingazzini*

SYNOPSIS. Lankesteria barretti n. sp. (Eugregarinida, Diplocystidae) is named from the mosquito Aedes triseriatus in Texas. The young cephalins occur within the midgut epithelial cells. When they reach a length of about 150–200 μ they rupture the host cell and are released into the space between the epithelium and the peritrophic membrane, becoming gamonts. These grow to about 140–310 by 40 μ at the anterior end and 12 μ at the posterior end. When the host pupates they enter the lumen of the Malpighian tubules; pairs join in syzygy by their anterior ends and later more laterally. Each pair forms a spherical gametocyst about 60–100 μ (exceptionally 250 μ) in diameter. A large number of oocysts develop in each gametocyst. The mature oocysts are spindle-shaped, 11 by 5.4–5.7 μ, and contain 8 elongate sporozoites and a refractile residuum. The gametocyst wall breaks down, releasing oocysts in the Malpighian tubules of the host when it is adult. The oocysts pass out in the feces and presumably infect new larvae by ingestion. The cephalins and gamonts of L. barretti differ from those of L. culicis (of Aedes aegypti) in having a relatively anterior instead of a central nucleus and in lacking a noticeable mucron; its longitudinal folds are not as well-developed as in L. culicis, and its paraglycogen granules are larger. The fine structure of L. culicis and L. barretti is described in detail. Their gamonts have a polar ring but no definite conoid. The taxonomy of the genus is reviewed, but its species have been so poorly described that it is impossible to be sure whether they are all really Lankesteria. About 19 species have been described (5 from turbellaria, 8 from tunicates, perhaps 1 from Amphioxus, 1 from the chaetognath Sagitta sp., 1 from Phlebotomus and 3 from mosquitoes).     

Eimeria kinsellai sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) in a Marsh Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris from Florida*

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria kinsellai sp. n. is described from the marsh rice rat Oryzomys palustris from Florida. Its ellipsoidal oocysts were 23–31 by 15–19 μ (mean 26.7 by 16.9 μ). One to four polar granules were present but an oocyst residuum was absent. The sporocysts were 12–15 by 7–9 μ (mean 13.9 by 8.1 μ), and sporocyst residua were present.     

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.     

Multivalvulid myxozoans from eastern Australia: three new species of Kudoa from scombrid and labrid fishes of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Three new species of Kudoa, each having 6 polar capsules, are described from the somatic muscle of fishes collected on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Kudoa grammatorcyni n. sp. was observed in the shark mackerel Grammatorcynus bicarinatus. Spores are stellate in apical view, width (all measurements in microm) 8.62 (8.03-8.95); thickness 8.14 (7.63-8.68); suture width 7.7 (7.24-8.16); length 6.54 (6.32-6.71); polar capsule length 3.68 (3.55-3.82); polar capsule width 1.72 (1.65-1.84). Kudoa scomberomori n. sp. is described from the Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus commerson. Spores are stellate in apical view, width 7.56 (6.84-8.16); thickness 6.79 (6.18-7.63); suture width 5.92 (5.26-6.32); length 5.43 (5.00-6.18); polar capsule length 3.24 (3.03-3.55); polar capsule width 1.37 (1.25-1.51). Kudoa thalassomi n. sp. is described from the moon wrasse Thalassoma lunare. Spores are stellate in apical view, width 10.66 (9.47-11.84); thickness 9.37 (8.55-10.79); suture width 7.98 (6.84-8.82); length 6.65 (6.18-7.11); polar capsule length 4.92 (4.74-5.00); polar capsule width 2.12 (2.04-2.24). All 3 species differ in spore morphology from the 1 previously described myxozoan with 6 polar capsules, Hexacapsula neothunni from yellowfin tuna Neothunnus macropterus, which has since been reassigned to Kudoa.     

Henneguya tunisiensis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida), a new gill parasite of Symphodus tinca (L.) (Teleostei: Labridae) off Tunisia

Henneguya tunisiensis n. sp., a new myxosporean, is described from the gill-arches of the East Atlantic peacock wrasse Symphodus tinca (L.) collected from off the Kerkennah Islands, Tunisia. It is characterised by the presence of elongate white plasmodia of 1–1.5 × 1.5–2 mm in size. The mature spores are rounded in frontal view and have two identical polar capsules and two caudal appendages which taper considerably at the end. Both light and electron microscopical data show that this species differs in several morphological features from all previously described Henneguya spp. A molecular analysis, based on 18S rDNA sequence data, indicates that H. tunisiensis n. sp. is readily distinguishable from other myxozoan DNA sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetically, the new species is placed in the marine Henneguya clade, which is a sister group of marine Myxobolus spp. from perciform fishes in Tunisian waters.