Cryptobia cataractae from the blood of Semotilus atromaculatus: structure and division in the fish

A cryptobiid was found in the blood of 2 of 9 Semotilus atromaculatus from a tributary of the Saugeen River in Ontario, Canada. Blood inoculation produced an infection in 2 uninfected S. atromaculatus but not in any Oncorhynchus mykiss, Catostomus commersoni, or Carassius auratus. The flagellate was identified as Cryptobia cataractae, based on host restriction. Cryptobia cataractae occurred as slender and broad forms (body width 3.0-8.7 microns). The length of the anterior flagellum was equal to body length, whereas that of the free recurrent flagellum was half body length. Cryptobia cataractae divided by equal binary fission that produced elongate, slender daughter cells.