Morphological and molecular characterization of Ceratomyxa binhthuanensis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ceratomyxidae) from the gall bladder of blacktip grouper Epinephelus fasciatus (Perciformes: Serranidae) in the East Sea of Vietnam

Parasitol Res. 2022 Feb;121(2):613-621. doi: 10.1007/s00436-021-07419-x. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

Abstract

A new myxozoan species, Ceratomyxa binhthuanensis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ceratomyxidae), was found in the gall bladder of blacktip grouper Epinephelus fasciatus (Perciformes: Serranidae) in the East Sea of Vietnam. Myxospores were observed floating free in the gall bladder of 3 out of 20 fish examined (15%). Mature myxospores were elongate and slightly crescent-shaped and measured 12.2 ± 1.3 (10.8-16.0) μm in thickness and 5.8 ± 0.6 (4.8-6.9) μm in length, with two smooth equal shell valves. The two polar capsules were spherical and equal in size, measuring 2.6 ± 0.3 (2.3-2.9) μm in diameter. The posterior angle was slightly concave, 153.7° ± 5.6° (148.9°-166.0°). Molecular analysis of SSU rDNA sequence showed that Ceratomyxa binhthuanensis n. sp. differs from other Ceratomyxa spp. available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that C. binhthuanensis n. sp. was closely related to three species, Ceratomyxa nolani, Ceratomyxa yokoyamai, and Ceratomyxa cutmorei, which also infect fish hosts of the genus Epinephelus.

Keywords: Ceratomyxa; Molecular phylogeny; Morphology; Myxozoa; SSU rDNA.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bass*
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Fish Diseases*
  • Gallbladder
  • Myxozoa* / genetics
  • Parasitic Diseases, Animal*
  • Perciformes*
  • Phylogeny
  • Vietnam

Substances

  • DNA, Ribosomal