Light and electron microscopic description of Sphaerospora dicentrarchi n. sp. (Myxosporea: Sphaerosporidae) from wild and cultured sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L.

Abstract

new myxosporean, Sphaerospora dicentrarchi n. sp., was found in numerous organs of wild and cultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). It is distinguished from all previously reported Sphaerospora spp. by the shape and small size of the spores, location in the host and its geographical distribution. Prevalence of infection was 100% and 83.5% in wild and cultured fish, respectively. Outstanding ultrastructural features are the presence of a binucleate sporoplasm, valvogenic spheroidal structures and capsulogenic lipid inclusions. Other data concerning ultrastructure and sporogenesis are presented.