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Malacosporean myxozoans exploit a diversity of fish hosts
Juliana Naldoni1, Edson A Adriano1, Ashlie Hartigan2
1Departamento de Ciências Biológicas,Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP),Diadema, SP,Brazil.
Parasitology
|March 13, 2019
Summary
Malacosporeans, fish parasites with complex life cycles, were investigated in European fish. Researchers found five malacosporean infections, confirming fish as true hosts and expanding knowledge of these parasites.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Ichthyology
- Invertebrate Zoology
Background:
- Myxozoans are common fish endoparasites with complex life cycles involving vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
- While Myxosporea is well-described, Malacosporea remains poorly understood, especially regarding its development in fish.
- Existing knowledge primarily focuses on malacosporean development in invertebrate hosts like freshwater bryozoans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and development of malacosporeans in a diverse range of fish species from Brazil, Europe, and the USA.
- To identify malacosporean infections using molecular and ultrastructural methods.
- To determine if fish serve as true hosts for malacosporean development.
Main Methods:
- Examination of fish kidney samples from 256 individuals across various families (Salmonidae, Cyprinidae, etc.).
- Detection and identification of malacosporean infections via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and small subunit ribosomal DNA sequencing.
- Ultrastructural examination to evaluate the presence of sporogonic stages in infected fish.
Main Results:
- Five malacosporean infections were detected in seven European fish species.
- Sporogonic stages were identified in the kidney tubules of three species: brown trout, roach, and stone loach.
- These findings confirm that fish are true hosts for malacosporeans, belonging to at least three families.
Conclusions:
- This study expands the known range of fish hosts for malacosporeans.
- It provides crucial evidence for the role of fish in the life cycle completion of malacosporeans.
- The findings highlight the need for further research into malacosporean diversity and host-parasite interactions in fish.
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