Involvement of sphaeractinomyxon in the life cycle of mugiliform-infectingMyxobolus(Cnidaria, Myxosporea) reveals high functionality of actinospore morphotype in promoting transmission

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Rocha, S (Author) Other; Rangel, LF (Author) Other; Casal, G (Author) Other; Azevedo, C (Author) Other; Rodrigues, P (Author) ICBAS; Santos, MJ (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Parasitology

Vol. 147

Pages: 1320-1329

ISSN: 0031-1820

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-E8Q

DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001043

Abstract (EN): Four new actinospore types belonging to the sphaeractinomyxon collective group (Cnidaria, Myxosporea) are described from the coelomic cavity of a marineBaltidrilussp. (Oligochaeta, Naididae) inhabiting a northern Portuguese estuary. Host identification supports the usage of marine oligochaetes, namely of the family Naididae Ehrenberg, 1828, as definitive hosts for myxosporeans inhabiting estuarine/marine environments. The absence of mixed infections in the host specimens analysed is suggested to reflect the influence of host-, parasite- and environmental-related factors regulating myxosporean-annelid interactions. Molecular analyses matched the SSU rDNA sequences of three of the four new types with those of mugiliform-infectingMyxobolusspp., namelyMyxobolus mugiliensisand aMyxobolussp. from flathead grey mulletMugil cephalus, andMyxobolus labrosusfrom thicklip grey mulletChelon labrosus. These results directly link, for the first time, the sphaeractinomyxon collective group to a myxospore counterpart, further confirming their previously hypothesized specific involvement in the life cycle of myxobolids that infect mullets. Acknowledging this life cycle relationship, the functionality of the sphaeractinomyxon morphotype is suggested to have been decisive for the evolutionary hyperdiversification of the genusMyxobolusin mullets. Unlike other actinospore morphotypes, sphaeractinomyxon lack valvular processes, which implies a limited capability for buoyancy. Considering the benthic-feeding nature of mullets, this feature is most likely crucial in promoting successful transmission to the vertebrate host.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10