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Morphological and molecular characterization of Ceratomyxa xanthopteri n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ceratomyxidae) from the marine ornamental fish Acanthurus xanthopterus Valenciennes 1835 (Acanthuridae) off Vizhinjam coast, Kerala

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Abstract

A new species of Ceratomyxa infecting the gallbladder of the marine ornamental fish Acanthurus xanthopterus collected from the Vizhinjam coast of Kerala is described. The parasite exhibited a prevalence of 100%. Mature spores recovered from the gallbladder were slightly crescentic with rounded lateral extremities and possessed convex anterior and slightly concave to straight posterior margins. Spore valves two, equal, joined by a straight and prominent suture. Myxospores measured 5.5 ± 0.6 μm in length and 15.9 ± 2.3 μm in thickness. Polar capsules two, equal, spherical, positioned anteriorly on either sides of the suture, 2.3 ± 0.2 μm long and 2.2 ± 0.2 μm wide. Polar filament with four to five coils, 21.2 ± 0.6 μm when extruded. Posterior angle 173.6 ± 5.2°. Early sporogonic stages and monosporic, disporic, and multisporic plasmodial stages were spherical to irregular in shape, with or without filopodia. Histopathologic analysis revealed that spores and developing stages were attached to the gallbladder wall as well as found free in the lumen. Morphologic and morphometric comparison of the present parasite with known species of Ceratomyxa indicated significant differences. In molecular and phylogenetic analyses, the present myxosporean revealed high divergence with related forms and occupied an independent position within the Ceratomyxa clade with high nodal support. Considering the morphological, morphometric, molecular, and phylogenetic dissimilarities with the previously described species of Ceratomyxa and the differences in host and geographic locations, the present species of myxosporean is treated as new and is named Ceratomyxa xanthopteri n. sp.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Director, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, for providing necessary facilities for undertaking this work.

Declarations

All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Funding

The present study was supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, through a Junior Research Fellowship for the first author (No. 09/1135(0017)/2019-EMR-I).

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  1. Fish Health Section, Marine Biotechnology Division, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, PB No. 1603, North P.O., Ernakulam, Kerala, 682018, India

    Sneha Surendran, Archana Chandran, P. Vijayagopal & N. K. Sanil

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  1. Sneha Surendran
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  2. Archana Chandran
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Correspondence to Sneha Surendran.

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Surendran, S., Chandran, A., Vijayagopal, P. et al. Morphological and molecular characterization of Ceratomyxa xanthopteri n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ceratomyxidae) from the marine ornamental fish Acanthurus xanthopterus Valenciennes 1835 (Acanthuridae) off Vizhinjam coast, Kerala. Parasitol Res 120, 2445–2453 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07168-x

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