Ceratomyxa mennani n. sp. (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) parasitizing the gallbladder of the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae) from Tunisian waters

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

Authors

Bouderbala, K (Author) Other; Rangel, LF (Author) Other; Santos, MJ (Author) FCUP; Bahri, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Parasitology Research

Vol. 119

Pages: 1515-1522

ISSN: 0932-0113

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-YCK

DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06649-9

Abstract (EN): Ceratomyxa mennani n. sp. is a new coelozoic Ceratomyxa species found in the gallbladder of Epinephelus marginatus from the Gulf of Tunis, Tunisia. Mature plasmodia were disporic, ovoid in shape measuring 9-12 mu m in width and 11-14 mu m in length. Mature myxospores were slightly crescent-shaped with almost straight posterior margin, measuring 5.8 +/- 0.2 (5.4-6.1) mu m in length and 12.7 +/- 0.3 (11.9-13.0) mu m in thickness. The two valves were unequal with rounded ends. Polar capsules were spherical, equal in size with 2.1 +/- 0.2 (1.9-2.6) mu m in diameter. The binucleated sporoplasm filled the entire cavity of the myxospore. Molecular analysis of SSU rDNA sequences indicated that C. mennani n. sp. was distinct from all other Ceratomyxa sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that C. mennani n. sp. clustered with Ceratomyxa species infecting Epinephelinae fishes. Seasonal prevalence of infection over one year was significantly higher in winter and the lowest in autumn. This is the third report of Ceratomyxa species infecting the gallbladder of Epinephelus marginatus from Tunisia and the first study to include molecular data.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8