Abstract
Three of 91 mussels, taken from Pacific coastal waters in Nanaimo, British Columbia, were infected with a new species of coccidian parasite. Gamogonic and sporogonic development were observed in renal tubular epithelial cells. Mature macrogametocytes were crescent-shaped. Oocysts sporulated within the host. Mature oocysts were spherical, mean 23.9 μm (range 22-25 μm) with approximately 24 ellipsoidal sporocysts (approximately 6 x 3 μm), each of which contained two sporozoites. Ultrastructural features of immature and mature macrogametocytes are described. Although found in all five populations of mussels from various locations in British Columbia, prevalence of infection was usually less than 16%, intensity of infection was usually light (less than 50 coccidia per histological section of kidney tissue), and evidence of associated pathology was not observed.
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