Abstract
Existing data on Myxozoa parasites infecting mullets were reviewed. The validity of nine species names was updated. Sixteen species were registered during analysis of original material collected in the Mediterranean, Black, Azov, and Japan Seas in 2004–2005. A new bivalvulid myxozoan parasite, Myxobolus adeli n. sp., was described from the inner organs of the golden grey mullet Liza aurata (Risso, 1810) collected in the Mediterranean (Ebro Delta, Spain), Black Sea (Kerch Strait, Ukraine), and Azov Sea (Genichesk, Ukraine) coastal waters. It is characterized by the presence of elongated, spindle-like cysts 0.5–1.3 mm in size, filled with wide transverse-oval spores about 6.2 × 7.2 × 4.6 μm in size, with two equal polar capsules measuring about 3.0 × 1.8 μm and short polar filament, turned into four coils. The obtained data show that this species differs from all previously described Myxobolus spp. with equal polar capsules. Comparative study of Myxobolus spp. recorded in worldwide mullets indicates a close relationship with M. adeli n. sp. and Myxobolus improvisus Isjumova, 1964 registered in mullets. Probably, the last species includes representatives of some different species, infecting freshwater and marine hosts.
Highlights
The mullets (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) have a worldwide distribution and inhabit tropical and temperate waters (Nelson 1984)
The genera Sphaerospora, Henneguya, Myxidium, Myxosoma, Myxobolus, Kudoa, infecting mullets, were revisionary studied by Sitjà-Bobadilla and Alvarez-Pellitero (1994), Jajasri and Hoffman (1982), Landsberg and Lom (1991), Eiras 2002, Eiras et al (2005), and Moran et al (1999)
The majority of myxosporeans parasitizing mullets are attributed to the family Myxobolidae
Summary
The mullets (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) have a worldwide distribution and inhabit tropical and temperate waters (Nelson 1984). According to current data (FishBase) the Mugilidae family includes 24 genera and 72 species, inhabiting tropical, subtropical, and the southern part of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Myxosporea represents one of the important groups of parasites infecting worldwide mullets (Lom and Dyková 1992; Kent et al 2001). A few revisionary studies of parasites infecting worldwide mullets have been conducted by Paperna (1975). The genera Sphaerospora, Henneguya, Myxidium, Myxosoma, Myxobolus, Kudoa, infecting mullets, were revisionary studied by Sitjà-Bobadilla and Alvarez-Pellitero (1994), Jajasri and Hoffman (1982), Landsberg and Lom (1991), Eiras 2002, Eiras et al (2005), and Moran et al (1999)
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