Zschokkella floridanae sp. n. (Myxosporidea) from the Goldspotted Killifish,Floridichthys carpio (Günther)*

SYNOPSIS. Zschokkella floridanae sp. n. (Myxosporidea) is described from the gall bladder of the goldspotted killifish, Floridichthys carpio, collected in south Florida. The fresh spore is circular to ovoid in front view and irregularly oblong in sutural view. It averages 14.5 in length × 13.3 μm in width. The polar filament, wound 6–8 times, is 55.3 μm when extended.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

New species of myxosporean (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) parasites of Ceratomyxa from fishes of Peter the Great Bay (Japan Sea)

Four new species of Ceratomyxa were found during parasitological studies of fish caught in shallow areas of Peter the Great Bay, Russia. Two of them (C. aspera n. sp. and C. durusa n. sp.) were found in the gall bladders of the flounders Limanda aspera and L. herzensteini. The third species (C. azonusi n. sp.) infected the gall bladder of the greenling Pleurogrammus azonus, and the fourth (C. lianoides n. sp.) was found in the gall bladder of Stichaeus grigorjewi. Ceratomyxa spp. have not been previously described from P. azonus or S. grigorjewi.     

Effects of electrical gradients on volume flows across gall bladder epithelium

A volumetric method has been developed which permits continuous registration of volume flows across epithelial tissues. The method was applied to volume flow measurements across rabbit gall bladder epithelium. The rate of fluid reabsorption measured in this way was twice as high as previously observed in sac preparations of the gall bladder. This is probably due to better aeration and stirring of the mucosal solution. It was demonstrated that electrical gradients across the gall bladder induced volume flows towards the negative electrode. In non-transporting bladders volume flows were linearly related with current between 300 and 900 μA in both directions. However, volume flow rates were three times higher from mucosa to serosa than in the opposite direction. From the magnitude of polarization potentials, observed after switching off the current, the conclusion was reached that all of the current-induced volume flow is an osmotic flow due to salt polarization in the unstirred layers of the tissue. By implication, so-called streaming potentials observed during osmotic flows reflect solely polarization effects. In actively transporting gall bladders a 200 μA current increased or decreased the flow rate twice as much as expected from polarization effects alone. Therefore passage of current interfered directly with the active transport mechanism of gall bladder epithelium.     

Occurrence of Tetracampos ciliotheca (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea) in the gall bladder of Clarias anguillaris in Burkina Faso

The presence of the bothriocephalidean cestode Tetracampos ciliotheca Wedl, 1861 is reported from the gall bladders of the catfish Clarias anguillaris from Loumbila and Ziga reservoirs, Burkina Faso, in 2010–2011. Of the 159 specimens examined, 47 were infected. Mean intensity of infection was 4.3 parasites per infected host, the maximum was 22 tapeworms in the gall bladder and the mean abundance was 1.3 parasites. There was no significant difference between males and females or between the two localities. There was a positive relationship between fish size and the number of parasites in the gall bladder. This study provides further evidence of the presence of T. ciliotheca in the gall bladder, in which most tapeworms found were localised. Tapeworms were also found in the stomach and intestine, with prevalences of 1% and 16%, and mean infection intensities of 1 and 5.3, respectively.     

Myxobolus cuneus n. sp. (Myxosporea) infecting the connective tissue of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Pisces: Characidae) in Brazil: histopathology and ultrastructure

The characteristics of Myxobolus cuneus n. sp. and its relationship to the host Piaractus mesopotamicus are described based on light and electron microscopy and histological observations. Polysporic plasmodia measuring 20 microm to 2.1 mm in size were found in 63.3 % of the P. mesopotamicus examined. The parasite was found in the gall bladder, urinary bladder, gills, spleen, fins, head surface, liver and heart. Generative cells and disporoblastic pansporoblasts occurred along the periphery of the plasmodia, and mature spores were found in the internal region. The mature spores had a pear shaped body in frontal view, with a total length of 10.0 +/- 0.6 microm and a width of 5.1 +/- 0.3 microm (mean +/- SD). The spore wall was smooth with sutural folds. The polar capsules were elongated, were pear shaped, and equal in size (length 5.7 +/- 03 microm; width 1.7 +/- 0.2 microm), with the anterior ends close to each other. The polar filaments were tightly coiled in 8-9 turns perpendicular to the axis of the capsule. The plasmodia were always found in connective tissue (wall of the arterioles of the gill filaments, serous capsule of the gall bladder, middle layer and subepithelial connective tissue of the urinary bladder, connective tissue between the rays of the fins, subcutaneous tissue of the head surface and fibrous capsule spleen). The parasite caused important damage in the gills, where development occurred in the wall of gill filament arterioles; a mild macrophage infiltrate was also observed. In advanced developmental stages, the plasmodia caused deformation of the arteriole structure, with a reduction and, in some cases, obstruction of the lumen. The parasite was found throughout the period studied and its prevalence was unaffected by host size, season or water properties.     

Intramural ganglia of the human gallbladder: morphological and functional observations]

The purpose of this study was the reinvestigation of the intrinsic innervation of human gall bladder with an immunohistochemical technique named peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP). The antigen demonstrated was the S100 protein normally present in the surface of glial cells, Schwann cells and satellite cells in ganglia. The tissues used were taken from 20 human gall bladders, fixed after surgery. This technique is not specific to demonstrate adrenergic or cholinergic innervation but it reveals just myelinated fibers. The current study was undertaken in order to study the organization and the function of plexus of nerves and ganglia present in the wall of the gall bladder. The neck of the gall bladder was the region in which the higher number of nerve cells and nervous fibers was present. The technique used has demonstrated ganglionated plexus and nerves in submucosal layer, fibromuscular and adventitial layer according to the enteric nervous system. All ganglia are postganglionic stations related with preganglionic cholinergic fibers. These results confirm that the intramural ganglia of the gall bladder are analogous to those of the enteric nervous system according to their common origin.     

五氯苯酚(PCP)在鱼体胆囊内积累的研究

鱼体吸收水中的异生物质能迅速、大量地分配主胆囊。胆囊的功能好像一个强烈的生物浓集器,杂交鲫暴露在含PCP水溶液中48h,胆囊对五氯苯酚(PCP)的富集系数(BCF)高达11365.胆囊积累和排除PCP是随水温升高而增快的。草鱼胆汁内积累的PCP90%以上为结合态,并随暴露时间延长而增加,48h残留达到904mg/kg;BCF为6027.草鱼暴露在自来水和东湖水中48h,用气相色谱分析胆汁内的有机物分别为24和25个。这一结果说明了鱼胆汁可能用于监测水中某些异生物质。       

Histological and histochemical studies of the gall bladder of the graylag goose (Anser anser)

ABSTRACT

We investigated the histological structure of the graylag goose (Anser anser) gall bladder. Sections of the gall bladder were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Alcian blue (pH 2.5) for acid mucopolysaccharides, Gomori’s method for reticular fibers, Masson’s trichrome, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Verhoeff’s elastin stain. The goose gall bladder was composed of a tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica adventitia or tunica serosa. The tunica mucosa formed regularly distributed simple isometric folds plus larger, less numerous, branched folds. The luminal surface was lined by tall columnar epithelial cells that stained for both acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides. The epithelial cells formed a discontinuous striated border of interdigitating microvilli on the luminal surface. Neither a lamina muscularis nor goblet cells were observed in the tunica mucosa. Unusual findings included branched mucosal folds, discontinuous microvilli and absence of an outer longitudinal layer in the tunica muscularis. No marked sex-associated differences were found. The general histochemical and histological structures of the graylag goose gall bladder are similar to those of birds such as chukar partridge and quail, but with some unique elements that may reflect differences in organ function.     

Three genera of myxosporida (Protozoa) in macrourid fishes

Three genera and eight species, three new, of myxosporida were recovered from seven genera and twenty species of geographically dispersed macrourid fishes. The constancy in spore dimensions of these species over large distances and among many host species was remarkable. Two genera of myxosporida had species which dwelled in both the gall bladder and urinary bladder/kidney.     

Eimeria sinaitae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Rock Agama (Agama sinaita) in Saudi Arabia

Eimeria sinaitae n. sp. is described from the gall bladder of Agama sinaita from Wasie, Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts are elongate-ellipsoid 34.4 times 22.0 (29.0–40.0 times 17.4–24.5) μm. Oocyst wall is smooth, greenish yellow, 1.2 (1.0–1.4) μm thick, and two-layered. Micropyle, polar granule, and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid 11.4 times 7.6 (9.8–15.0 times 6.7–9.0) μm. Sporocyst residuum is present. The sporocysts lack a Stieda body. Sporozoites are crescent-shaped, blunt at one end and tapered at the other. Eimeria species from Agamidae are compared.     

Ultrastructure of Spironucleus barkhanus N. Sp. (Diplomonadida: Hexamitidae) from Grayling Thymallus thymallus (L.) (Salmonidae) and Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar L. (Salmonidae)

ABSTRACT. A hexamitid flagellate Spironucleus barkhanus n. sp., from the lumen of the gut and gall bladder of wild grayling Thymallus thymallus , and from muscle abscesses of farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar from Norway, is described by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The flagellate was axenically cultured in trypticase, yeast extract, iron serum medium. Live trophozoites from axenic cultures incubated at 5° C, measure 11–20 x 6–14 μm. The flagellates show a typical bi-radial symmetry. Each recurrent flagellum is almost completely surrounded by a striated lamina. In the posterior end the lamina widens, appearing heart shaped in transverse section. Accompanying each recurrent flagellum are three narrow bands of microtubules, following the longitudinal groove created by the incomplete closure of the striated lamina. The recurrent flagella emerge posterio-medially through cytostome openings halfway surrounded by crescent-shaped ridges, oriented in opposite directions in the two openings. The position and adornment of the cytostome openings, and the arrangement and number of the microtubules accompanying the recurrent flagella, distinguish Spironucleus barkhanus n. sp. from previously described species of Spironucleus .     

ETIOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERPLASIA INDUCED BY STREBLONEMA SP. (PHAEOPHYTA) ON MEMBERS OF THE LAMINARIALES (PHAEOPHYTA)1

Filaments of Streblonema sp. isolated from hyperplasia (galls) on Nereocystis luetkeana (Mert.) Post. et Rupr. induced similar gall growths when inoculated on young sporophytes of Nereocystis luetkeana, Macrocystis integrifolia Bory, and Laminaria japonica Aresch. Filaments were irregularly branched and uniseriate with cells 5–8 μm in diameter and 10–30 μm long. Growth under varied cultured conditions produced unilocular sporangia. Zoospores released from the sporangia germinated into identical filaments which also formed unilocular sporangia. Gall tissue originated from the innermost cells of the epidermal meristematic zone. When infected these cells divided in an irregular and unorganized manner. The resulting structure was a pronounced departure from normal morphology.     

A new bile acid conjugate, ciliatocholic acid, from bovine gall bladder bile.

This study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of ciliatocholic acid in bovine gall bladder bile. Ciliatocholic acid was synthesized according to the method described by Bergstr?m and Norman for the synthesis of taurocholic acid. Elemental analysis, melting point, and the infrared spectrum of this substance were determined. An isolation procedure for ciliatocholic acid was established by stepwise elution with an HCl-ethanol solvent system using a Dowex-1 anion exchange resin column chromatographic technique. Ciliatocholic acid amounting to 158 mug (as ciliatine) per 100 ml of gall bladder bile was found in the fraction eluted with 0.01 N HCl in 50% ethanol. This coumpound was purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography and confirmed to be ciliatocholic acid from the hydrolytic stability, phosphorus determination, and chromatographic behavior. Thus, bovine gall bladder bile contains a small amount of ciliatocholic acid.     

The Genus Leptotheca (Protozoa: Myxosporida) in Macrourid fishes and Sablefish,Anoplopoma fimbria*

SYNOPSIS. Five species of Leptotheca, one new, were found in the macrourid fishes and the sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria. Those species which were geographically widespread in numerous host species showed little variation. Two Leptotheca species were found both in the gall bladder and urinary bladder/kidney.     

Pleistophora oncoperae sp.n. (Protozoa: Microsporida) from Oncopera alboguttata (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) in Australia

Pleistophora oncoperae sp.n. is described from adults and larvae of Oncopera alboguttata and O. rufobrunnea. The main site of infection was muscle, though fat body and connective tissue were also infected. Fresh pansporoblasts measured about 25 μm in diameter and contained 16 to 32 or more spores with a mean size of 5.9 × 3.1 μm. Macrospores measuring 7.7 × 4.4 μm were also seen. The mean polar filament length was 158 μm; ultrastructural studies showed that the filament is normally arranged in 14 coils (range, 13 to 20) at an angle of 53.5° to the axis of the spore. The species was found to be distinct from all previously described Pleistophora reported from Lepidoptera.     

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.     

The gall of subordination: changes in gall bladder function associated with social stress

Diverse physiological and behavioural mechanisms allow animals to effectively deal with stressors, but chronic activation of the stress axis can have severe consequences. We explored the effects of chronic social stress on agonistic behaviour and gall bladder function, a critical but widely neglected component of stress-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction. Prolonged cohabitation with dominant individuals elicited behavioural modifications and dramatically increased bile retention in subordinate convict cichlid fish (Archocentrus nigrofasciatum). The key predictor of gall bladder hypertrophy was social subordination rather than status-related differences in food intake or body size. Stress-induced inhibition of gall bladder emptying could affect energy assimilation such that subordinate animals would not be able to effectively convert energy-rich food into mass gain. These results parallel changes in gall bladder function preceding cholesterol gallstone formation in humans and other mammals. Thus, social stress may be an important diagnostic criterion in understanding pathologies associated with gall bladder dysfunction.