Steinhausia mytilovum in cultured mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis in the Thermaikos Gulf (northern Aegean Sea, Greece)

Abstract

The microsporidian Steinhausia mytilovum was found parasitising female cultured mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis L. in the Thermaikos Gulf (northern Aegean Sea). The parasites affected the condition index of infected mussels and induced a strong hemocyte infiltration inside affected gonadal follicles. The prevalence (7.5 to 35.5%) of the parasite was relatively high in a polluted area.