Description and phylogeny of Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. and Zschokkella lophii sp. n. from the Japanese anglerfish, Lophius litulon (Jordan)

Two new species of myxozoans from the Japanese anglerfish, Lophius litulon, are described using myxospore morphology and small subunit rDNA sequences. Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. is a parasite of the gall bladder and had a prevalence of 57%. Mature spores of C. anko sp. n. are arcuate to crescent shaped with valves tapering to rounded tips. A prominent sutural line runs centrally between the round adjacent polar capsules containing the polar filament coiled two to three times. Spore measurements: length 10.8 (9.7-11.9) microm, width 41.9 (36.9-47.2) microm, polar capsule diameter 4.6 (4.1-5.3) microm. Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. can be distinguished from other Ceratomyxa spp. due to its spore dimensions and shape. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. is a parasite of the urinary bladder and had a prevalence of 70%. Mature spores are ellipsoidal to semicircular with bluntly pointed ends. The sutural line is curved or sinuous and the valves have no discernable surface ornamentation. Two almost spherical polar capsules are located separately in the ends of the spore, opening in almost opposite directions and contain the polar filament with five coils. Spore measurements: length 20.1 (16.8-24.0) microm, width 14.9 (12.7-16.8) microm, polar capsule diameter 5.1 (3.6-5.8) microm. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. can be distinguished from other Zschokkella spp. due to the terminal opening of the polar capsules within the spores and the site of infection within the host fish. In the phylogenetic analyses, C. anko sp. n. grouped with other members of the same genus forming a monophyly. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. forms a discrete clade with another Zschokkella sp. that infects the urinary bladder of marine fish. This grouping forms a sister clade to one containing members of the genus Parvicapsula, all of which are parasites of the urinary system in marine fish.     

引起池养异育银鲫高死亡率的粘孢子虫新种咽碘泡虫形态和分子分析

对近几年发生在江苏省盐城地区引起池养异育银鲫大批死亡的粘孢子虫进行了形态和分子等方面分析研究,发现该粘孢子虫主要特点是:孢子梨形,部分孢子后部外周包围有透明无色的膜状鞘和壳瓣底部内侧呈现1～6个"V"形缺刻,两个极囊大小不等,孢子前端内侧两个极囊间有一个细长的囊间突起,胚质中无嗜碘泡,孢囊大小10～25 mm,孢子长16.82±0.43(16.03～17.69)μm,孢子宽10.26±0.43(9.12～10.88)μm,孢子厚8.09±0.29(7.50～8.75)μm,孢子长宽比1.64±0.09(1.50～1.93);大极囊长8.66±0.25(8.25～9.16)μm、宽3.65±0.25(3.01～4.19)μm,小极囊长8.35±0.28(7.60～8.85)μm、宽3.58±0.23(3.09～4.11)μm,囊间突起长1.80±0.12(1.59～2.00)μm。特异性地寄生在异育银鲫的口咽腔上颚的咽组织内、具有寄主和寄生在咽部的专一性,PCR扩增得到1 576 bp的18S rDNA序列,GenBank登录号为JQ726700。该粘孢子虫与相近的其它粘孢子虫比较,孢子长分别与白鲟碘泡虫(Myxobolus psephurusi)和扭曲碘泡虫(M.twistus)无显著差异(P>0.05),与M.ampullicapsulatus、M.wulii和鳙碘泡虫(M.aristichthydis)分别有显著差异(P<0.05);孢子宽和厚、极囊长和宽分别与M.ampullicapsulatus、M.wulii、白鲟碘孢虫(M.psephurusi)、鳙碘泡虫(M.twistus)和扭曲碘孢虫(M.aristichthydis)有显著差异(P<0.05);分子系统树分析结果显示,与M.ampullicapsulatus在同一个分支中,亲缘关系最近。从孢子形态学、寄主的特异性、寄生部位的专一性以及18SrDNA序列等特点综合比较分析,表明该粘孢子虫为一新种,命名为咽碘泡虫Myxobolus pharynae n.sp.。     

<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.     

Sporogenesis of the myxosporean Kudoa paniformis Kabata & Whitaker, 1981 infecting the muscle of the Pacific whiting, Merluccius productus (Ayres)

Abstract. This ultrastructural study examines Sporogenesis of Kudoa paniformis , a monosporous myxosporean that causes a softened muscle texture in cooked Pacific whiting, Merluccius productus . Capsulogenesis and valvogenesis occur in a manner similar to that of other myxosporeans, while some aspects of generative cell interaction and sporoplasm ultrastructure differ from most other myxosporeans that have been examined with electron microscopy. Capsulogenesis of K. paniformis includes the formation of an external tubule which is continuous with the polar capsule, followed by the apparent internalization and modification of the external tubule to form a polar filament winding within the polar capsule. Valvogenesis occurs with the accumulation of electron-dense material on the cytoplasmic side of the outer membrane of each valvogenic cell to form a valve wall, Sporogenesis of K. paniformis differs from other myxosporeans in two aspects: (1) spore development does not appear to begin as a result of one generative cell engulfing another, and (2) the sporoplasm of developing and mature spores contains two morphologically distinct cells, one of which surrounds the other.     

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.     

荆州碘泡虫(粘体动物门,碘泡虫科)重描述及其基于18S rDNA系统发育关系分析

本实验利用现行主流分类衍征,重新对荆州碘泡虫(Myxobolus kinchowensis)进行了详细描述,其分类特征如下:包囊圆形,寄生于鲫肌肉与肾脏,肌肉包囊大小(126.7±1.8)μm,肾脏包囊直径为94.2μm;两寄生部位各形态参数无显著差异,成熟孢子正面观呈梨形,缝面观呈纺锤形,含一大一小两梨形极囊;无明显囊间突起,孢子后端无褶皱,无粘液膜。组织病理显示在两寄生部位均未引起严重的炎性反应,且感染强度不高,推测该种对宿主无显著影响。基于18S r DNA进化分析发现荆州碘泡虫与寄生在肌肉部位的碘泡虫属种类聚为一个大枝,然后该大枝又根据地理位置远近分为北美枝、欧洲枝以及亚洲枝。通过形态比较研究以及分子分析可确定荆州碘泡虫为有效种,其寄主为鲫,寄生部位为肌纤维间和肾小囊。此外,两组织差异明显的寄生部位出现说明荆州碘泡虫相应的放射孢子虫在宿主鲫体内存在不同的发育与移行途径,而肌肉可能为其常规寄生部位,肾脏为其异常寄生部位,这种寄生部位的转移与宿主转变可能是粘孢子虫物种多样性形成的机制。     

Development of Myxobolus bramae (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) in an oligochaete alternate host, Tubifex tubifex

The development of Myxobolus bramae Reuss 1906, a myxosporean parasite of the gills of common bream Abramis brama L., was studied in experimentally infected oligochaetes. In five experiments, uninfected Tubifex tubifex (Müller) and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Claparéde were exposed to mature myxospores of M. bramae . In four experiments triactinomyxon type actinospores developed in Tubifex specimens but no infection was found in Limnodrilus . Actinospores were released from oligochaetes 70–81 days after initial exposure. At that time pansporocysts containing eight actinospores were located in the gut epithelium of experimental oligochaetes, but free actinosporean stages were also found in their gut lumen. Each actinospore had three pyriform polar capsules and a barrel-shaped sporoplasm with 32 secondary cells. The spore body joined the three caudal projections with a stout style. The total length of the actinospore was 139 μm on the average.     

Ultrastructural observations of the life cycle stages of Ameson atlanticum sp. nov., a microsporidan parasitizing Cancer pagurus L.

Abstract. Cancer pagurus (Cancridae) from the Atlantic coast of France is parasitized by a new species of microsporida Ameson atlanticum sp. nov. The main stages of the life cycle of the parasite are a monokaryotic and then diplokaryotic meront, tetranucleate (at least) sporont fsporogonial sporont), uninucleate sporoblast and spore. The spore (1.9 × 1.5 μm) possesses 11–12 coils of the polar filament and a lamellar polaroplast. Hairlike appendages are present on the surface of the sporoblastic plasmodium, sporoblast and spore. All stages take place in direct contact with the muscular tissue of the crab. Infection provokes the destruction of 80% of host muscle myofibrils.     

Renal myxozoanosis in weedy sea dragons, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Lacepède), caused by Sinuolinea phyllopteryxa n. sp.

Renal myxozoanosis was diagnosed histologically in 11 captive, wild caught, adult weedy (common) sea dragons, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, from three separate public aquaria in the United States. Myxozoan spores were visible in wet mounts of kidney tissue and were associated with renal tubular dilatation and tubular epithelial cell hypertrophy. Light and electron microscopy revealed spore morphology consistent with the genus Sinuolinea. Spores were spheroidal, slightly dorso-ventrally compressed, length (L) 17.1 x width (W) 16.4 x thickness (T) 15.6 microm, with two shell valves joined at a distinct, sinuous sutural ridge, and had two nearly spherical polar capsules, L 5.5 x W 5.0 microm, with five to seven turns of the polar filament. There were no extra-valvular ridges or protrusions. DNA sequencing required the design of three new primers that yielded 1740 bp of 18S ribosomal DNA sequence. The parasite was determined to be novel based on morphological and molecular data, and was given the name Sinuolinea phyllopteryxa after its vertebrate host.     

中国南海黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)幼鱼形态特征及其与体重的关系

为研究出现在中国南海美济礁的黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)幼鱼的形态特征及其各性状特性与体重的关系,对其附近海域捕捞的52尾野生黄鳍金枪鱼幼鱼的外部形态特征进行观察分析,并对其全长、体长、头长、体高、头高、眼径、眼间距、口裂、吻长、尾柄长、尾柄高和体重12个可量性状进行测量.通过相关分析、通径分析和决定分析方法,分析各形态性状对体重的影响程度,运用多元线性回归分析法建立主要性状对体重的多元回归方程.结果显示,鱼体呈纺锤形,粗壮而圆,向后逐渐细尖,尾柄细长,背部较暗,呈深蓝色,腹部银白色,体表具有浅银灰色间隔的纵向条纹,并有明亮的光泽,尾鳍末端呈黄褐色;体长、体高和尾柄高与体重的相关性达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),是影响体重的主要性状.体长对体重的通径系数最大(0.479)、决定系数最高(0.229),体长、体高主要通过直接作用对体重产生影响,而尾柄高主要通过体高、体长对体重起间接作用;以体重为因变量(y),体高(x1)、体长(x2)、尾柄高(x3)为自变量,得到估算体重的最优多元回归方程为y=30.482 x1+18.328 x2+ 199.490 x3-500.785.     

A simple non-destructive biometric method for estimating fat levels in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr

Abstract. Simple body measurements were used to predict the fat content of Atlantic salmon parr. For three different sizes (wet weights 18–98g, 44–207g and 137-151·8g) at two times of year (November/December and July) the percentage body fat (as measured by lipid extraction) could be predicted accurately using multiple regressions based on a combination of the following measurements: wet weight, fork length, opercular height, dorsal height, opercular width, dorsal width, anal width, adipose fin length and condition factor. In every case predictions based on multiple regression equations were more accurate than condition factor alone. This biometric method is easily employed and can potentially be used both in biological studies and on fish farms to assess body condition of individual fish. Since it is non-destructive it has the additional advantage of allowing repeated monitoring of fat levels in the same fish.     

Morphological and molecular redescription of the myxozoan Unicapsula pflugfelderiSchubert,Sprague & Reinboth 1975 from two teleost hosts in the Mediterranean. A review of the genus Unicapsula Davis 1924

Elongate plasmodia with myxosporean spores belonging to the genus Unicapsula, Davis, 1924 were found in the skeletal muscle of the striped seabream, Lithognathus mormyrus (L.), a candidate for the mediterranean aquaculture. The only species of Unicapsula described from the Mediterranean is Unicapsula pflugfelderi Schubert et al. 1975, which occurs in the picarel, Spicara smaris (L.). For morphological and molecular comparison of U. pflugfelderi from S. smaris with Unicapsula sp. from L. mormyrus measurements of plasmodia and spores, ultrastructural details and 18S and 28S rDNA sequences were analysed. Whereas plasmodia were 2–3 times larger in S. smaris than in L. mormyrus (length 2.47–0.81 mm; width 0.22–0.09 mm; P = 0.000), spore morphology showed minor differences and both 18S and 28S rDNA sequences were 100% identical identifying the myxozoan as U. pflugfelderi. Scanning electron microscopy of the spores revealed a different shell valve distribution than the one used for the diagnosis of the genus Unicapsula. This resulted in a review of the genus Unicapsula dividing it into two morphological groups of different spore valve arrangement. TEM revealed the presence of a yet undescribed crystalline structure in the sporoplasm of the spores.     

Larval molting and growth of the Japanese spiny lobster Panulirus japonicus under laboratory conditions

ABSTRACT:   Ten newly hatched phyllosoma of Panulirus japonicus were cultured individually to monitor body length ( BL ) and intermolt period, and 2000 were cultured in groups to sample specimens for measurement of body weight. Phyllosoma were fed with Artemia and mussel gonad; the culture seawater temperature was 24–26°C. The individually cultured phyllosoma showed an increment in body length by the first molt of approximately 0.5 mm, and the molt increment increased to approximately 1 mm at 5 mm BL ; it was constant to 15 mm BL . Thereafter, the molt increment increased exponentially. The duration of the first instar was 6–7 days. Instar duration increased with development up to approximately 2 weeks at the 20th instar (∼16 mm BL ) and then became constant. Of the 10 larvae reared individually, five metamorphosed to the puerulus stage. The entire phyllosoma life ranged from 245–326 days (mean 289.0 days), and the number of instars ranged from 22–29 (mean 26.2). Body length in the final instar ranged from 28.50–33.10 mm (mean 30.280 mm). For the phyllosoma cultured in groups, relationships between BL and wet/dry body weights ( WW / DW , mg) were expressed as exponential equations: WW  = 0.0686 BL ^2.2023 and DW  = 0.0209 BL ^2.1905.     

Determination of morphometric parameters in the Mexican mojarra, Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Günther), for the design and construction of box graders

Abstract. The morphometric relationships, standard length-weight, standard length-width and weight-width for Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Günther) in the weight range 0.78-262g were: log₁₀ weight =−4.35 + 2.95 × (log₁₀ standard length); log₁₀ width =−0.73 + 0 99 × (log₁₀ Standard length) and log₁₀ width = 0.74 + 0.33 × (log₁₀, weight). Two box graders were designed and tested based on these data. The operation efficiency (expressed as a percentage of the sample used to test it) was 96.1 % and 95% for the two graders. Results indicated a tendency to undergrading (small fish detained by the bars) by the first grader and overgrading (large fish going between the bars) by the second, the latter as a result of the major variability in the body shape from fish as they grow. The results are satisfactory, and larger graders for commercial use could be constructed based on these relationships.     

Tank cultivation of the red alga Palmaria palmata: Year-round induction of tetrasporangia, tetraspore release in darkness and mass cultivation of vegetative thalli

Field-collected tetrasporophytes of Palmaria palmata were tumbled in 300-L outdoor tanks from January to August at ambient daylength or in a constant short-day (SD) regime (8 h light per day), both at 10 or 15 °C. Tetrasporangia were massively induced after 2.5 months under SD conditions at 10 °C and completely lacking at 15 °C, both under SD or ambient daylength conditions, with a few tetrasporangia present at 10 °C and ambient daylength. Elongation rates of tagged tetrasporophytic thalli peaked from March to April in all four conditions, when the biomass densities in the outdoor tanks were close to 2.5 kg fresh weight m^− 2. Under all four conditions, juvenile proliferations started to appear in June from the margins of the old fronds, and attained approximately 1 cm in length by the end of July.Approximately 80% of the tetraspores were released during the first three dark phases in a light/dark regime, and the remaining 20% during the light phases. A minimum of 10 min darkness was observed to trigger spore release. White light inhibited tetraspore release, while a similar number of spores were released in continuous red light or in the light/dark regime, although with no significant differences of spore release during subjective days and nights.Sporelings were successfully derived from the released tetraspores for mass propagation of the male gametophyte in 2000-L outdoor tanks in a greenhouse. Mass production of male gametophytic sporelings of P. palmata was completed two times by SD induction of tetrasporangia at 10 °C, release of spores in darkness and culturing the sporelings until they were ready to be propagated vegetatively in greenhouse tanks. One experiment lasted from January to October 2001, with spore release in June, and the second from September to April 2003, with spore release in January. These results may support the development of sustainable, year-round Palmaria farming.     

Cell and tissue reactions of turbot Scophthalmus maximus (L.) to Tetramicra brevifilum gen. n., sp. n. (Microspora)

Abstract. Tetramicra brevifilum gen, n. sp, n. is described from the connective tissues throughout the body musculature of turbot Scophthalmus maximus (L.). Uninucleate spores (4.8·2 μm) are characterized by a large posterior vacuole, electron dense inclusion bodies in cytoplasm and nucleus and short filaments with 3–5 coils (50 μm extruded). Sporogony is apansporoblastic and tetrasporoblastic, within a host vacuole. Features of the xenoma (2 mm diameter) include a microvillous surface layer with microtubules and microfilaments and a reticulate nucleus with numerous nucleoli. Adherence between adjacent xenomas results in composite cysts of various sizes and shapes depending on site, being dendritic in the myomeres, arms extending between the fibres. Effects on the host, other than eventual destruction of the host cell, include displacement of muscle fibres in myomeres with loss of attachment to myocommata. Breakdown of the xenoma with release of spores into the connective tissue matrix was associated with a localized necrosis affecting surrounding muscle fibres, with leucocyte infiltration and collagen deposition. Spores phagocytosed by macrophages were destroyed in vacuoles, some with multi-laminate walls. Experimental infections established by intramuscular injection at marked sites remained localized, which suggested that xenomas afford sufficient scope for spore production without the need of secondary invasion. The swimming efficiency of turbot would be impaired in severe infections leading to lowered growth rates and increased mortality in wild populations due to predation and starvation. Feeding hierarchies exist in turbot and the disease could prove significant in farming conditions.     

Light and electron microscopic observations of sporogenesis in the myxosporida, Ceratomyxa shasta (Noble, 1950)

Abstract. The stages of development leading to sporogenesis of Ceratomyxa shasta (Noble) were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Salmonid fishes were infected by exposing them to water containing the infectious stage and intestinal material was fixed at weekly intervals. Signs of intestinal infection were barely detectable by 7 days following exposure where trophozoites and later developmental forms were present, but by 14 days a large number of pansporoblasts could be detected in varying stages of development. By 21 days the majority of caeca were completely occluded and infection had spread throughout the connective tissues attached to the caeca.
The early developing trophozoites contained two or more nucleated cells within a mother cell. There was some evidence of multiplication of nuclei by fission. The sporoblasts usually contained twelve nucleated cells that gave rise to two groups of six cells (sporonts) and resulted in the formation of two spores in each mother cell. Each spore was formed by two sets of bilaterally arranged cells consisting of the main germinative cell or sporoplasm, the anteriorly placed capsule cells and the outer envelope or spore valve cell that surrounded the others and formed the spore covering.
As the spore matured the two germinative cells interacted with each other by pseudopodial extensions and appeared to fuse to form a diploid cell. The position of the cells laterally and slightly posteriorly to the central suture line formed a bilaterally curved spore. Mature spores when examined with the electron microscope were condensed, dark staining and relatively featureless, with a lateral measurement of 15 μm and an anterior-posterior measurement of 7μm.     

Thelohanellus testudineus n. sp. (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) infecting the skin of allogynogenetic gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch) in China

A Thelohanellus species was encountered during a survey on Thelohanellus diversity of Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch) in China. The infection is characterized by the presence of large cysts of 1.4–3.2 cm in diameter in the skin of host. Mature spores were ampullaceous in frontal view and testudinate in lateral view, measuring 19.7 ± 0.7 (18.6–20.8) μm long, 7.6 ± 0.4 (6.6–8.4) μm wide and 7.3 ± 0.5 (6.6–8.8) μm thick. The single polar capsule was elongated pyriform, with 11.1 ± 0.5 (10.0–11.9) μm long and 5.3 ± 0.3 (4.3–5.8) μm wide. Polar filaments coiled with 7–8 turns. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a smooth spore surface with flat side and convex side. The sutural line was straight or ‘S’ like, running near the middle of the valves. Histologically, the large cysts consisting of numerous small plasmodia developed in the dermis of the skin. The BLAST search indicated that the newly obtained ssrRNA gene sequences did not match any available sequences in GenBank and phylogenetic analysis placed it in the Thelohanellus clade. Based on morphology and molecular differences with reported Thelohanellus spp., this parasite was described as a new species of genus Thelohanellus.     

Effects of photoperiod on gonadotropin-releasing hormone levels in the brain and pituitary of underyearling male barfin flounder

ABSTRACT:   A pleuronectiform fish, the barfin flounder Verasper moseri , expresses three gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) forms in the brain: salmon GnRH (sGnRH), chicken GnRH-II (cGnRH-II) and seabream GnRH (sbGnRH). To clarify the effects of photoperiod on GnRH systems, changes in brain and pituitary GnRH peptide levels were examined using time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays. In experiment 1, 5-month-old male barfin flounder (mean total length 9.0 cm, body weight 11.0 g) were divided into short (8:16 h light : dark [L:D] cycle; lights on 08.00–16.00 hours) and long photoperiod (16:8 h L:D cycle; lights on 04.00–20.00 hours) groups in mid September and maintained until November under natural water temperature (19.3–15.2°C). Brain sGnRH concentrations were significantly higher in the 16:8 h L:D group than in the 8:16 h L:D group, whereas no significant differences were observed in total length, body weight, plasma testosterone concentration, brain cGnRH-II concentration and pituitary sbGnRH content. In experiment 2, 7-month-old male barfin flounder (mean total length 16.5 cm, body weight 76.8 g) were divided into short and long photoperiod groups in mid December and maintained until February under natural water temperature (12.5–6.6°C). Total length, body weight and condition factor were significantly greater in the 16:8 h L:D group than in the 8:16 h L:D group, whereas no significant differences were observed in plasma testosterone concentration and GnRH levels in the brain and pituitary. These results indicate that levels of sGnRH in barfin flounder are influenced by photoperiodic treatment dependent on water temperature and/or body size.     

Hepatic microsporidiosis of juvenile grey mullet, Chelon labrosus (Risso), due to Microgemma hepaticus gen.nov. sp.nov.

Abstract. Microgemma hepaticus gen.nov. sp.nov. is described from the liver of juvenile grey mullet, Chelon labrosus (Risso). Development occurs within xenomas (diameter 500μm) which have microvillar surfaces, encircling bands of mitochondria and a reticulate hypertrophic nucleus. Vegetative developmental stages, meronts, are plasmodial and divided by plasmotomy. These stages are enclosed by host membranes. Sporogonic stages are free in the cytoplasm and divide by multiple exogenous budding. Uninucleate spores (2·4μm × 4·2μm) possess 7–9 coils of the polar filament and a lamellar polaroplast. Xenomas are associated with liver connective tissue, and cause necrosis of adjacent liver cells in certain circumstances. Host response to infection involves leucocyte infiltration and granuloma formation, with spores being destroyed by repeated macrophage phagocytosis and necrosis and resulting in gradual resolution of the lesion. Although juveniles apparently tolerate large parasite burdens there is some evidence of a contribution by the parasite to stress-related mortality. The transmission of the disease and its potentially high pathogenicity to larval fishes is discussed.