Myxosporean infections in cultured tilapias in Israel

Five new species of myxosporean parasite are described from cultured tilapias in Israel. These are: Myxosoma sarigi, Myxosoma equatorialis, Myxobolus israelensis, Myxobolus agolus, and Myxobolus galilaeus. The first four were found in hybrids of Oreochromis aureus X Oreochromis niloticus while Myxobolus galilaeus was found in Sarotherodon galilaeus. In addition, M. sarigi, M. israelensis, and Myxobolus sp. were also found in S. galilaeus. In the light of the present study, the taxonomy of myxosporean infections in tilapias is modified. Mature spores may localize in the melano-macrophage centers of the spleen and kidney where they may eventually be destroyed. No cases of mortality have so far been associated with these parasites.