Myxobolus dermiscalis, Kaur & Attri & Joshi, 2016

Kaur, Harpreet, Attri, Rajni & Joshi, Jyoti, 2016, Molecular identification of a new myxozoan, Myxobolus dermiscalis n. sp. (Myxosporea) infecting scales of Labeo rohita Hamilton in Harike Wetland, Punjab (India), International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 5 (2), pp. 139-144 : 140-141

3.1. Morphological characteristics of Myxobolus dermiscalis n. sp.

3.1.1. Pseudocyst ( Fig. 2 )

Round to irregular, white, 4-5pseudocysts per scale, histozoic, present within a cavity and measure 0.5 ‾ 3.6 mm in diameter. 400 ‾ 500 of spores were present per pseudocyst.

3.1.2. Spore description ( Fig. 3 )

(Measurements based on 10 spores in frontal view).

The spores measure 5.84 ‾ 7.84 × 3.98 ‾ 5.98 M m, oval to spherical in frontal view having rounded anterior and posterior ends. Both the shell valves are thick, symmetrical and 0.5 M m in thickness. Parietal folds two, present on the posterio-lateral margins of the shell valves. Polar capsules are two, equal, measure 3.98 ‾ 5.98 × 1.85 ‾ 3.85 M m and are pyriform with distinct neck at the anterior end. They converge anteriorly and are placed at a distance posteriorly. Polar filaments form 5 ‾ 6 coils and are arranged obliquely to the polar capsule axis, 7.2 M m in length when extruded. An intercapsular process is absent. Two capsulogenic

Intensity of infection with parasite species (Index): 4 (Severe infection).

Clinical Symptomatology: Highly symptomatic; creamish white patches and mucous laden body surface. Loosening of scales.

Etymology: The specific epithet dermiscalis has been given on the basis of location of pseudocysts within the layers of dermal scales.

nuclei are present beneath each of the polar capsule. Sporoplasm agranular, homogenous occupying whole of the extracapsular space behind the polar capsules and contain one nucleus and a large iodinophilous vacuole.

3.1.3. Taxonomic summary of M. dermiscalis n. sp.

Host: L. rohita (Ham.) vern. Rohu.

Locality: Harike Wetland, Punjab, India.

Site of infection: Scales.

Type specimen: Paratype are spores stained with Ziehl ‾ Neelsen and Iron-Haematoxylin, deposited in the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala ( India). Slide no. M/ZN/ 02.11.2014 and M/IH/ 02.11.2014.

Frequency of parasite species (%): 59.7% (52/87).

Figures

Fig. 2. Infected scales of L. rohita showing creamish white pseudocysts of M. dermiscalis n. sp scale bar = 1 cm.

Fig. 3. Photomicrographs of myxospores of M. dermiscalis n. sp. a) fresh under phase contrast microscope b) stained with Ziehl‾Neelson c) Line drawing d) stained with Ironhaematoxylin Scale bar = 10 Mm.