Myxobolus erythrophthalmi sp. n. and Myxobolus shaharomae sp. n. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) from the internal organs of rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L.), and bleak, Alburnus alburnus (L.)

During a survey of myxosporean parasites of cyprinid fish in Hungary, infections caused by unknown Myxobolus spp. were found in the internal organs of rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, and bleak, Alburnus alburnus . Small plasmodia developed in blood vessels of the kidney, liver, testes and intestinal wall. The parasites were studied on the basis of spore morphology and by histological and molecular methods. In most cases, plasmodia were surrounded by host tissue without a host reaction; however, in advanced cases, a connective tissue capsule was seen around plasmodia. Spores collected from the two fish species differed from each other and from the known Myxobolus spp. both in their morphology and 18S rDNA sequences. The two species, described as M. erythrophthalmi sp. n. from rudd and M. shaharomae sp. n. from bleak, are characterized by a specific histotropism to blood vessels, while the organ specificity involves the kidney and for the latter species, most internal organs.     

Growth of bream, Abramis brama (L.), in Irish canals and implications for management

The growth rates of bream, Abramis brama (L.), were determined in three Irish Canals: the Royal and Grand Canals, and the Barrow Line. Compared with growth patterns for other Irish and European waters, the growth of bream was fast in the Royal Canal, but slow to moderate for the Grand Canal and the Barrow Line. Significant differences in bream growth in terms of both length and weight were found between the three canal systems, and between canal levels, particularly in the Grand Canal. Associations between growth, and (1) alkalinity, (2) total fish biomass and (3) the ratio of bream biomass to total fish biomass were also found. However, it was considered that these three factors alone were not sufficient to explain the differences in growth. Productivity was implicated as the main factor controlling bream growth because fish species diversity was greater and total fish biomass was generally higher in levels of the Grand Canal with faster growing bream populations. The division between 'fast' and 'slow' growing bream also corresponded with a change in the aquatic weed community. There is evidence to suggest that there was a corresponding change in macro-invertebrate community structure and density. Angler usage as another factor in promoting growth is discussed. The implications for the future management and development of these canals are outlined.     

Infection of Myxobolus turpisrotundus sp. n. in allogynogenetic gibel carp,Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch), with revision of Myxobolus rotundus (s. l.) Nemeczek reported from C. auratus auratus (L.)

Infection of a Myxobolus species, previously identified as Myxobolus rotundus, was detected in 182 of 7892 (2.31%) allogynogenetic gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, in a closed pond culture system in China. Morphological and molecular data showed that this myxosporean is a different species from M. rotundus parasitizing Abramis brama in Europe and is thus designated as a new species, Myxobolus turpisrotundus. M. rotundus (s.l.) ex C. auratusauratus is a synonym of M. turpisrotundus. Plasmodia of M. turpisrotundus develop in the subepidermal tissues of the body surface resulting in an unaesthetic appearance and causing severe economic losses. Prevalence of infection with the myxosporean plasmodia varied seasonally, increasing in winter and decreasing in spring. Prevalence was positively correlated to host size, but no host sex‐specificity was found. No infection was observed in other fish species (grass carp, bighead carp and yellow catfish) reared in the same pond, suggesting that the parasite has a relatively strict host specificity. Plasmodia grew gradually as the parasite developed, and reached up to a maximum 5.6 mm in diameter. Plasmodia ruptured naturally to release the mature spores and host fish completely recovered with no mortality. Release of spores and regeneration of lesions were not correlated with water temperature. Histology showed that plasmodia developed sub‐epidermally, and that the wall of the plasmodia was composed of a multiple complex structure, including layers of fibroblasts, a collagenous membrane, melanophores and a layer of cup‐like cells of unknown derivation and function. The cup‐like cells are in direct contact with pre‐sporogonic stages located in the peripheral parts of the large plasmodia. No severe host inflammatory response was seen.     

The susceptibility of diverse species of cultured oligochaetes to the fish parasite Myxobolus pseudodispar Gorbunova (Myxozoa)

This study provides detailed information on the invertebrate hosts of Myxobolus pseudodispar (Myxozoa) and explores the susceptibility range of several species and analyses the relevance of the species composition of an oligochaete population. Our findings demonstrate that the oligochaete host range of M. pseudodispar is similarly wide as the number of vertebrate host species. Besides Tubifex tubifex and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Psammoryctides barbatus and Psammoryctides moravicus were also found to be susceptible invertebrate hosts. The genetic characterization of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA of T. tubifex sensu lato revealed that lineages I, II and III are susceptible to M. pseudodispar, whereas T. tubifex lineage VI seems to be non‐susceptible. T. tubifex lineage V and L. hoffmeisteri specimens were positive in a M. pseudodispar‐specific PCR, but in most cases, the release of mature actinospores could not be detected. Hence, these non‐susceptible oligochaetes likely serve as `biological filters` as they remove myxospores from the sediment without producing actinospores. Together with the phylogenetic analysis of the susceptible and non‐susceptible oligochaete hosts on the basis of mt 16S rDNA sequences, the route of the development of M. pseudodispar in the oligochaete hosts was tracked by in situ hybridization. According to our findings, the gut epithelia seem to be a portal of entry of the sporoplasms, where the development of the parasite also takes place. The basal lamina seems to be involved in the migration of the parasite, and the worm’s cellular immune response is activated by the infection.     

The effects of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and bronze bream, Abramis brama (L.), on insect emergence and benthic invertebrate abundance in experimental ponds

Abstract The effects of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and bronze bream, Abramis brama (L.), predation on the production of insects emerging at the water surface and the autumn biomass of benthic macro-invertebrates were assessed in a series of experimental ponds. The study attempted to discover whether fish affect food availability for diving and dabbling ducks in freshwater habitats. Ten ponds (bisected by fine netting) were used for the study: one was left totally fish-free, whilst one half of each of three groups of three ponds was stocked with either perch, bream or perch plus bream. The relative abundance of emerging insects (mainly Chironomidae) was significantly reduced in two perch ponds, two perch + bream ponds and two bream ponds. The autumn standing crops of benthic macroinvertebrates were significantly reduced in one perch pond, three bream ponds and one perch plus bream pond. These results support findings of a contemporaneous large bio-manipulation experiment carried out in two adjacent lakes. During the biomanipulation studies, aquatic invertebrate standing stocks greatly increased after the removal of fish and decreased following restocking.     

Myxobolid parasites infecting the gills of the Iberian nase, Chondrostoma polylepis (Steindachner), in Galicia (NW Spain), with a description of Myxobolus gallaicus sp. nov.

Three species of myxobolid parasites were found infecting the gills of the Iberian nase, Chondrostoma polylepis , in the River Ulla (Galicia, NW Spain), Myxobolus leuciscini , M. impressus and M. gallaicus sp. nov., which is described herein. Myxobolus leuciscini locates in the intralamellar space and the plasmodium begins to develop in the endothelium of the capillaries of the secondary lamellae. Myxobolus impressus plasmodia are located in the interlamellar multilayered epithelium. Myxobolus gallaicus plasmodia are elongated and are located exclusively in the central venous sinus of the branchial filament, suggesting that they begin their development in branchial endothelial tissue. We also present data on spore size and morphology, plasmodium and pansporoblast characteristics and pathological effects of the three species in the host branchial tissues.     

Stripping Fecundity of Common Bream (Abramis brama L.) from the Rivers Trent and Sow (Nottinghamshire, UK)

Results obtained with common bream (Abramis brama) originating from the rivers Trent and Sow (Great Britain) are presented with particular attention to the egg size and absolute and relative fecundity recorded during stripping of hormonally (pituitary extract) treated females. The average number of eggs obtained by stripping 1 kg of female biomass (RSF) from the river Sow and Trent were 93,642 ± 20,896 and 151,179 ± 25,123, respectively. These values were similar to the respective parameters in bream populations from north-western USSR lakes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myxobolus nagaraensis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) causes abdominal distension of freshwater goby <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhinogobius</Emphasis> sp. OR type from the Nagara River

ABSTRACT:   A new myxosporean parasite was found in the body cavity and caudal peduncle of the freshwater goby Rhinogobius sp. Orange type (OR) collected from the Nagara River, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Infected fish exhibited substantial swelling of the abdomen caused by large parasitic cysts approximately 10 mm in size, formed in the visceral cavity. The cyst was a compacted aggregate of several smaller cysts, similar to a bunch of grapes in appearance. Histological examination showed that plasmodia developed within the renal capsule, and finally occupied the visceral cavity. Spores were ovoid with an attenuated anterior end. Sutural ridges were conspicuous with several folds on the edge. Average spore size was 11.9 (10.5–13.5) μm long, 9.0 (8.0–10.0) μm wide, and 6.5 (6.0–7.0) μm thick. Two equal polar capsules were 5.5 (4.5–6 0) μm long and 3.0 (2.5–4.0) μm wide. Partial small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences of the myxosporean were distinct from those of other myxozoan species in GENBANK. A new species name, Myxobolus nagaraensis , is proposed for this parasite.     

Histological alterations in the liver of sea bream, Sparus aurata L., caused by short- or long-term feeding with vegetable oils. Recovery of normal morphology after feeding fish oil as the sole lipid source

This study evaluated the effects of fish oil (FO) replacement by vegetable oils [soybean oil (SO), rapeseed oil (RO), linseed oil (LO)] and subsequent feeding with FO on the liver morphology of sea bream. A short-term trial (3 months) and long-term trial (6 months) were carried out feeding sea bream with the following experimental diets: FO100%; SO60% + FO40%; RO60% +FO40%; LO60% + FO40%; SO + RO +LO60% + FO40%. Finally, all groups from the long-term trial were fed with FO100% for 95 days (washout period). Liver samples were taken for histological and biochemical studies. In both the short- and long-term trials, livers of sea bream fed LO60% and SO + RO + LO60% showed a similar hepatic morphology to that observed in fish fed FO100%. In contrast, sea bream fed SO60% showed an intense steatosis, with foci of swollen hepatocytes containing numerous lipid vacuoles. After the washout period, a considerable reduction of the cytoplasmic vacuolation and the lipid vacuole accumulation were observed in the livers of fish fed the different experimental diets. The results of this study suggested that the type of non-essential fatty acid, characteristic of vegetable oils, induces the appearance of steatosis in the following order: linoleic acid > linolenic acid > oleic acid. However, the liver alterations found during the experimental periods with vegetable oils are reversible when the fish are re-fed with a balanced diet (FO100%), indicating the non-pathological character of these histological changes.     

Differences in the effectiveness of reproduction among ten breeding strains of the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. after stimulation of ovulation with carp pituitary homogenate or [(D‐Ala6, Pro9NEt) mGnRH‐a + metoclopramide] (Ovopel)

This study focused on the reproduction effectiveness of 10 breeding strains of common carp (Polish strains 2, 3, 6; Hungarian strains 0, W, 7; Lithuanian strain B; French strain F; Israeli strain D and Yugoslavian strain J) after stimulation of ovulation with carp pituitary homogenate or Ovopel. The percentage of females with recorded ovulation became higher after Ovopel treatment in as many as eight breeding strains (2, 3, 6, 0, W, B, F, D). The interaction between the spawning agent and the breeding strain was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) for the mass of spawn and non‐significant for traits determining the quality of eggs. Among the 10 breeding strains, in 4 (3, 7, B, J) the least‐squares means (LSM) for the weight of egg (g) were higher for fish stimulated with Ovopel. Among the strains tested, in seven (3, W, F, J, 2, 7, B), the LSM for the percentage of living embryos after 36 h incubation were higher for fish treated with Ovopel. The evaluation of reproduction effects based on the values of such parameters as the percentage of ovulating females, weight of eggs (g) and the percentage of live embryos (36 h) showed that after Ovopel treatment the poorer effects were obtained only for strains 6, 0 and D.