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. 2013 Apr;108(2):150-4.
doi: 10.1590/0074-0276108022013004.

Ultrastructural description of Ceratomyxa microlepis sp. nov. (phylum Myxozoa): a parasite infecting the gall bladder of Hemiodus microlepis, a freshwater teleost from the Amazon River

Carlos Azevedo  1 , Sónia Rocha, Graça Casal, Sérgio Carmona São Clemente, Patrícia Matos, Saleh Al-Quraishy, Edilson Matos
Affiliations

Ultrastructural description of Ceratomyxa microlepis sp. nov. (phylum Myxozoa): a parasite infecting the gall bladder of Hemiodus microlepis, a freshwater teleost from the Amazon River

Carlos Azevedo et al. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

A new ceratomyxid parasite was examined for taxonomic identification, upon being found infecting the gall bladder of Hemiodus microlepis (Teleostei: Hemiodontidae), a freshwater teleost collected from the Amazon River, Brazil. Light and transmission electron microscopy revealed elongated crescent-shaped spores constituted by two asymmetrical shell valves united along a straight sutural line, each possessing a lateral projection. The spores body measured 5.2 ± 0.4 µm (n = 25) in length and 35.5 ± 0.9 µm (n = 25) in total thickness. The lateral projections were asymmetric, one measuring 18.1 ± 0.5 µm (n = 25) in thickness and the other measuring 17.5 ± 0.5 µm (n = 25) in thickness. Two equal-sized subspherical polar capsules measuring 2.2 ± 0.3 µm in diameter were located at the same level, each possessing a polar filament with 5-6 coils. The sporoplasm was binucleate. Considering the morphometric data analyzed from the microscopic observations, as well as the host species and its geographical location, this paper describes a new myxosporean species, herein named Ceratomyxa microlepis sp. nov.; therefore representing the first description of a freshwater ceratomyxid from the South American region.

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Figures

Figs 1-3
Figs 1-3. light and transmission electron micrographs of Ceratomyxa microlepis sp. nov. infecting the gall bladder of Hemiodus microlepis collected from the Amazon River. 1: several free unfixed spores observed by differential interference contrast microscopy; 2: spores sectioned at different levels and displaying different ultrastructural aspects, including the polar capsules (PC); 3: longitudinal section of a spore revealing its general organization, namely the two lateral projections (P) and the two PCs.
Figs 4-8
Figs 4-8. transmission electron micrographs of Ceratomyxa microlepis sp. nov. infecting the gall bladder of Hemiodus microlepis collected from the Amazon River. 4: ultrastructural detail of the two polar cap sules in longitudinal section, displaying the organization of its polar filaments (PF) and the extrusion pores (arrows) located at the spore anterior pole, near the sutural line (arrowheads). A nucleus (N) of the sporoplasm is observed close to these structures; 5: oblique section of a polar capsule (PC), allowing the recognition of its double-layer wall (arrowheads) and number of PF coils; 6: oblique section of the central region of a spore showing the PCs, one of the two Ns of the sporoplasm, some sporoplasmosomes (arrowheads) and a lipidic-like structure (arrow); 7: detailed aspect of the sutural line (arrowheads) uniting the two shell valves (V); 8: slightly oblique transverse section of a lateral projection containing numerous reserve bodies (arrows) and displaying the double-layer wall (arrowheads) organization of the spore shell Vs.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9. schematic drawing of Ceratomyxa microlepis sp. nov. infecting the gall bladder of Hemiodus microlepis collected from the Amazon River, displaying the spore overall morphology, with special emphasis on the two opposite and asymmetric lateral projections of the shell valves
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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