Host-Parasite Interaction and Phylogenetic of a New Cnidarian Myxosporean (Endocnidozoa: Myxobolidae) Infecting a Valuative Commercialized Ornamental Fish from Pantanal Wetland Biome, Brazil

Author(s)

Mathews, Patrick D. ; Mertins, Omar ; Flores-Gonzales, Anai P. P. ; Espinoza, Luis L. ; Aguiar, Julio C. ; Milanin, Tiago

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PATHOGENS; v. 11, n. 10, p. 9-pg., 2022-10-01.

Abstract

Myxozoans are a diverse group of parasitic cnidarians of wide distribution. A new species, Myxobolus matogrossoensis n. sp., is herein described infecting wild specimens of tetra mato-grosso Hyphessobrycon eques, caught in the Pantanal biome, the world's largest tropical wetland area. Cysts were found in 3 of the 30 examined fishes. Mature myxospores were ovoid in shape in frontal and measured 6.6 +/- 0.4 mu m (6.2-7.0 mu m) in length and 3.5 +/- 0.2 mu m (3.3-3.7 mu m) in width. The two polar capsules were elongated in shape, equal in size and occupying almost half of the myxospore body. They measured 3.3 +/- 0.2 mu m (3.1-3.5 mu m) in length and 1.8 +/- 0.1 mu m (1.7-1.9 mu m) in width. The polar tubules presented three to four turns. Phylogenetic analysis placed the new species within a clade containing myxobolid species from South American characiforms fish and appears as a close species of Myxobolus piraputangae and Myxobolus umidus. Nevertheless, the sequences of the new species and P. umidus and P. piraputangae have a large genetic divergence of 12 and 12.2% in their 18S rDNA gene, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a Myxobolus species parasitizing the tetra fish mato-grosso, thus increasing our knowledge of cnidarian myxosporean diversity from South America. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/20482-3 - Diversity of microscopic cnidarians from the Amazon Basin with emphasis on phylogeny, systematic and interaction with their hosts
• Grantee: Patrick Mathews Delgado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral