The life cycle of Chloromyxum auratum (Myxozoa) from goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.), involves an antonactinomyxon actinospore

The myxozoan parasite Chloromyxum auratum Hallett, Atkinson, Holt, Banner & Bartholomew, 2006 , was shown experimentally to have a two‐host life cycle which involved a previously undescribed antonactinomyxon actinospore stage. Myxospores obtained from gall bladders of naturally infected feral goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.), were used to infect samples of mixed species of oligochaete worms obtained from the same locality as the fish: Fern Ridge Dam, Oregon, USA. After some 110 days post‐exposure, actinospores were detected from the water above the oligochaetes. The 18S rDNA sequence of these actinospores was identical to the original myxospores. Spore release was sporadic, of low intensity and short duration, which confounded efforts to identify the host oligochaete species and infect naïve fish. This is the first life cycle that incorporates an actinospore of the collective group Antonactinomyxon, and the first life cycle demonstrated in the laboratory for a species of Chloromyxum.     

Henneguya pagri n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) causing cardiac henneguyosis in red sea bream, Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel)

Henneguya pagri n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) is described from netpen-cultured red sea bream, Pagrus major, in Japan. Affected fish displayed anaemic gills, an enlarged bulbus arteriosus and internal haemorrhaging in the pericardial cavity. Disease outbreaks occurred during the summer and the prevalence of infection reached 75% in August. Plasmodia of H. pagri developed in the bulbus arteriosus of red sea bream, in which degenerative cardiomyopathy was observed. Following maturation of the parasite, the influx of spores into the gills caused congestion of the gill capillaries, resulting in proliferative branchitis. Spores (10.5 x 7.5 microm) were ovoid with two caudal appendages (29.6 microm in average length), with a whip-like extension from the end. Partial small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences of H. pagri are closely related to those of H. lateolabracis infecting the bulbus arteriosus of Chinese sea bass, Lateolabrax sp.     

Dynamics of experimental production of Thelohanellus hovorkai (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) in fish and oligochaete alternate hosts

The dynamics of development and production of Thelohanellus hovorkai (Myxozoa) were examined to investigate factors inducing haemorrhagic thelohanellosis in carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Fresh actinospores of T. hovorkai were harvested from the oligochaete alternate host, Branchiura sowerbyi, and used for infection experiments with myxosporean-free carp. Visualization of actinospores by fluorescent labelling revealed that sporoplasms penetrated the gill filaments of carp immersed in an actinospore suspension as early as 30 min post-exposure (PE). Plasmodia of T. hovorkai developed in the connective tissues of various organs and matured 3-5 weeks PE; dispersion of myxospores from degenerate plasmodia occurred 5-7 weeks PE. Challenges with a high dose of actinospores (4.5 x 10(6) spores per fish) resulted in the onset of disease, which was more easily achieved by the oral intubation of actinospores than by immersion in an actinospore suspension. Actinosporean-free B. sowerbyi were exposed to different densities of myxospores (10(4)-10(6) spores per oligochaete) and subsequently reared at different temperatures (15, 20, 25 degrees C). At 20 and 25 degrees C, actinospore releases were first detected 40-43 days PE, with multiple peaks of release (max. 7 x 10(5) actinospores day(-1)) during the next 60 days. We concluded that the developmental cycle of T. hovorkai was completed within 3-5 months at 20-25 degrees C, and that the ingestion of large numbers of actinospores orally, possibly by feeding on infected oligochaetes, resulted in a disease condition in carp.     

武汉单极虫生活史中放射孢子虫的发现及鉴定

鲫养殖中粘孢子虫病非常严重,为掌握其病原的感染传播途径,实验通过粘孢子虫生活调查研究,在底栖寡毛类苏氏尾鳃蚓体内发现了一种放射孢子虫。该放射孢子虫的孢子无孢柄;孢体顶面观和侧面观都呈近卵圆形,长(19.8±1.3)μm,宽(18.2±1.1)μm;3个极囊梨形,呈点状聚集分布在孢体顶端,极囊长(4.53±0.4)μm,宽(3.4±0.4)μm;3个尾柄几乎等长,刺状,从孢体基部向下伸展,尾柄间夹角100°,尾柄长(195.0±15.7)μm,宽(11.5±0.8)μm。根据形态特征将其划归为橘瓣放射孢子虫集合类群。18S r DNA序列分析表明该放射孢子虫与鲫体表寄生武汉单极虫为同一物种,序列相似率为99.8%~100%。序列系统发育分析进一步发现单极虫类群中多数种类的放射孢子虫阶段主要寄生在苏氏尾鳃蚓体内。本研究首次发现和报道了鲫寄生武汉单极虫生活史中寡毛类宿主及其放射孢子虫的形态特征,为鲫粘孢子虫病生态防控提供重要的基础资料。     

Life cycle inference and phylogeny of Ortholinea labracis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ortholineidae), a parasite of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (Teleostei: Moronidae), in a Portuguese fish farm

Ortholinea labracis n. sp. is described and its life cycle is inferred from a Southern Portuguese fish farm, with basis on microscopic and molecular procedures. This myxosporean parasite infects the urinary bladder of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax and the intestinal epithelium of a marine oligochaete of the genus Tectidrilus. Myxospores subspherical in valvular view and ellipsoidal in sutural view measuring 7.6 ± 0.3 (6.8–8.7) μm in length, 7.2 ± 0.2 (6.7–7.7) μm in width and 6.5 ± 0.4 (5.8–7.7) μm in thickness. Two polar capsules, 3.0 ± 0.2 (2.6–3.4) μm long and 2.4 ± 0.1 (2.0–2.9) μm wide, located at the same level, but with divergent orientation and opening to opposite sides of the suture line. Sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene revealed a similarity of 100% between the analysed myxospores and triactinomyxon actinospores. The phylogenetic setting of O. labracis n. sp. shows subgrouping in correlation with tissue tropism, but identifies this parasite as another exception to the main division of Myxosporea into the main freshwater and marine lineages.     

Descriptions, development and pathogenicity of myxozoan (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) parasites of juvenile cyprinids (Pisces: Cyprinidae)

Approximately 5000 young of the year (0+) cyprinids comprising roach, chub, dace, minnow, bleak, bream, barbel and gudgeon were examined histologically for the presence of myxozoan infections. Thirteen myxozoans were identified to species, the majority being Myxobolus spp. In addition, two species of Myxidium and of Sphaerospora were recorded. All organs were examined, with the majority of infections being found in the gills, musculature and kidney. However, isolated spores were occasionally found in other tissues. Whilst roach contained the highest number of myxozoan species, it was chub that showed the greatest host response to sporogonic forms. Data are provided on spore morphology, pathogenic responses and tissue and host specificity of the myxozoans recorded.     

Henneguya shaharini sp. nov. (Protozoa: Myxozoa), a parasite of marble goby, Oxyeleotns marmoratus (Bleeker)

Abstract. Henneguya shaharini sp. nov. is described from marble goby, Oxyeleotns marmoratus , collected in the State of Selangor, Malaysia. Cysts occurred in the gill filaments. The histopathological examination revealed intralamellar and inter-lamellar forms of infection. A host tissue response against the parasite was seen in some fish.     

Completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) life cycle

Tuna aquaculture is currently dependent on the wild capture of juveniles for production. The development of hatchery technology for bluefin and other tunas would be a major step forward in improving sustainability of their aquaculture. The present study overviews the technology in the life cycle completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) under aquaculture conditions in Kinki University, and the problems to be solved for the establishment of tuna hatchery technology. On 23 June 2002, broodstock of PBT that were artificially hatched and reared spontaneously spawned in captivity. The resulting eggs hatched and were subsequently reared to the juvenile stage. The spawning fish were the result of a research project started in 1987 to rear wild‐caught juvenile PBT that were several months old. Fertilized eggs were obtained from these fish in 1995 and 1996. Resulting juveniles (the artificially hatched first generation) were reared to maturity and spawned in 2002. Over the summer of 2002, 1.63 million eggs from these fish were used for a mass rearing experiment, and 17 307 juveniles were produced and transferred to an open sea net cage. Of these artificially hatched second‐generation PBT, 1100 grew to approximately 95 cm total length and 14 kg body weight in 22 months. This procedure means the completion of PBT life cycle under aquaculture conditions, which was first attained among large tuna species. The problems awaiting solution in PBT hatchery production are their unpredictable spawning in captivity, to improve survival during the first 10 days post hatch, to reduce cannibalism in larval and juvenile stages, and to solve collision problem causing high mortality during the juvenile stage.     

The complete life cycle in captivity of the spider crab,Maja brachydactyla,Herbst 1788

The present research describes the complete life cycle in captivity, including spawning, larval culture and fattening of juveniles until commercial size. Additionally, size, weight and age at each moulting stage were recorded, as well as zoeas biochemical composition. The most significant results obtained were as follows. Embryonic development lasted for 33 days. Each female had between three and five spawns, separated by 4–5 days each. Larval culture lasted for 20 days at 14–17°C. The zoeas turn to megalopa at ~11 days after hatch/DAH), and from megalopa to juvenile at ~20 DAH. Average survival was ~13%. Juvenile growth rate was higher during the first 8 months (0.22%–0.46% bw/day), and then gradually decreased when changing from live to frozen diets. Survival during the fattening phase was 63%. The final moult occurs at 450 DAH, when males and females have a carapace total length of 12.38 + 1.23 and 13.57 + 1.23 cm, respectively, and 541.56 + 104.26 and 670.68 + 162.6 g in total weight respectively. Biochemical composition of cultured zoeas showed a high amount of phospholipids and long‐chain fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). Low survival rates in larval culture and especially after passing to the benthic life style are the main problems regarding spider crab culture, and need to be improved.     

褐藻羊栖菜繁殖生物学特征和生活史流程的补充研究

以温州市洞头区人工养殖羊栖菜和野生羊栖菜为研究样本,详细描述了羊栖菜成熟孢子体有性生殖,假根与侧生枝无性生殖的繁殖生物学特征和生活史流程。详细记录了羊栖菜卵、精子和受精卵的减数分裂和有丝分裂过程,假根、茎(主茎和侧生茎)、叶(气囊)和生殖托(雌托和雄托)等4类器官生长、发育和分化过程,胚、幼孢子体和成熟孢子体形态结构特征。在此基础上对现有羊栖菜繁殖生物学特征及生活史流程进行了补充和修正,增加了羊栖菜侧生枝无性生殖和羊栖菜幼孢子体期有性生殖的相关内容,并重新绘制了羊栖菜生活史流程图。该研究结果将为开展羊栖菜养殖生态学研究,深层次解析羊栖菜生殖节律、种群繁衍与环境关系奠定基础。     

Habitats across the life cycle of hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in aquatic ecosystem of Bangladesh

Aquatic habitat connectivity is vital for the continued existence of migratory fish. Using GIS and outranking multicriteria analysis based on hydrometeorological data, this study describes habitat preference of egg, fry, juvenile and adult phases of hilsa shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton), as well as their spawning areas in the aquatic ecosystems of Bangladesh. The total area studied was 29 484 km², about 29% of which belonged to the Meghna, Shahbajpur, Tetulia and Ander Manik rivers, and the channels of Sandwip, Kutubdia and Moheshkhali islands, which provide the most suitable habitat for the species. An additional 27% of moderately suitable area was located in other deltaic rivers and inshore waters. The remaining 44% was offshore deeper water, which was least suitable for hilsa. The most suitable area for spawning, eggs, fry, adults and juveniles was 6, 11, 29, 38 and 56% of the area, respectively. The model outputs were validated against field measurements and fishers’ indigenous knowledge with an accuracy level of 92%. Thus, this study provides key information about the location of hilsa at different stages of its life cycle, information useful in understanding its occurrence over a relatively large geographical area. Information of this kind is useful in fishery conservation and management.     

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.     

Henneguya pseudorhinogobii n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) parasitizing the gills of the freshwater goby Rhinogobius sp. OR from the Nagara River and redescription of Henneguyarhinogobii

Two types of infection with myxosporean parasites, which were different in cyst size, were found from the gill of Rhinogobius sp. OR collected from the Nagara River, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. A myxosporean forming large-type cysts in the gill filament was morphologically identified as Henneguya rhinogobii. Another myxosporean forming small-type cysts was found to be parasitic in the gill lamella. Average spore sizes of the latter myxosporean were 15.8 (range 14.2–17.8) μm in length, 5.3 (4.7–5.8) μm in width, 6.5 (5.9–7.6) μm in polar capsule length and 34.9 (25.3–42.9) μm in caudal appendage length, which were almost identical to those of H. rhinogobii. However, the two were distinguishable by the location in the gill (intrafilamental or intralamellar) and by the difference in the sequence of SSU rDNA (about 96% similarity). We propose the myxosporean forming intralamellar small-type cysts as Henneguya pseudorhinogobii n. sp. and redescribe H. rhinogobii by morphological and molecular studies.     

The effects of temperature in the life cycle of two consecutive generations of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758), cultured in the Algarve (South Portugal)

We are presently culturing the 4^th generation of thecuttlefish, Sepia officinalis in our laboratory. A firstgeneration (F1) was grown from eggs collected from the wild (Ria Formosa–South Portugal) during the summer, at mean temperatures of 27°C ± 3°. In the present study, a second generation(F2), originated from eggs laid in the laboratory by females from F1 wascultured between the start of autumn and the end of spring, at meantemperaturesof 15 °C ± 4 °C. The life cycle ofcuttlefish from F2 was compared to F1. Populations of 30 cuttlefish were usedineach experiment. Cuttlefish were grown from one day old until the cycle wascompleted (when the last female in each population had died). Cuttlefish fromF2cultured at much lower temperatures had a longer life cycle, of almost 9 months(260 days) compared to cuttlefish from F1, which completed their cycle in lessthan 6 months (165 days). Cuttlefish from F2 grew significantly larger (U =0.00; p < 0.01) with mean weights of 343.3 ± 80.5 g and248 ± 33.1 g for males and females, respectively, comparedtoF1 (199.6 ± 40 g and 143.3 ± 30.9 g formales and females, respectively). Females from F2 had higher fecundity (225eggsfemale^–1) compared to females from F1 (144 eggs perfemale^–1), produced bigger eggs (t = 45.60752; p < 0.0001),weighing 0.74 ± 0.18 g, compared to 0.46 ± 0.11 fromF1,and bigger hatchlings (t = 7,144783; p < 0.0001), weighing 0.10 ±0.02g, compared to 0.09 ± 0.02 g for the summerpopulation.     

Effects of feeding live or frozen prey on growth, survival and the life cycle of the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

The effects of feeding live or frozen grass shrimp (Palaemonetes varians) to the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, were determined in two experiments. During Experiment I, two populations of 30 cuttlefish (aged 90 days old) were fed either live or frozen grass shrimp. Cuttlefish fed live shrimp grew larger, matured earlier, had a shorter life cycle (255 days) than the ones fed frozen shrimp (282 days), and had lower mortality. Females from the group fed frozen shrimp matured a month later but were significantly larger, 130.9 ± 38.5 g, compared to 74.2 ± 16.0 g, laid larger eggs, 0.47 ± 0.11 g, compared to 0.28 ± 0.10 g, and had higher individual fecundity (411 eggs female⁻¹, compared to 150 eggs female⁻¹). Newly born hatchlings from both groups had similar weights. During Experiment II, six replicates of 15 cuttlefish (50 days old) were used, three for each of the two diets tested. The exact same amount of live or frozen shrimp was provided to both populations twice a day. No differences in growth and feeding rates or food conversions were found at the end of the experiment. During the first week, cuttlefish fed frozen shrimp grew larger, and had higher conversion rates, compared to the ones fed live shrimp. Mortality was higher for the group fed live shrimp (36.6%) in Experiment II, mainly occurring during the last week. Mortality for cuttlefish fed frozen shrimp in Experiment II was 2.2%. Results obtained here indicate that freezing the grass shrimp only had a negative effect on the survival of S. officinalis in Experiment I. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.