Spore Length Research Articles

Henneguya patriciai n. sp. (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) parasitizing Leporinus friderici (Bloch 1794) from Tartarugalzinho river, eastern Amazon.

The Amazon basin has the largest number of fish in the world, and among the most common fishes of the Neotropical region, the threespot (Leporinus friderici) is cited, which in relation to its microparasitic fauna, has described only 1 species of the genus Henneguya, Henneguya friderici. The Myxozoa class is considered an obligate parasite, being morphologically characterized by spores formed by valves connected by a suture line. This study describes a new species of Henneguya sp. in the Amazon region for L. friderici. This parasite was found in the host's pyloric caeca and caudal kidney, with mature spores with a total spore length of 38.4 ± 2.5 (35.9–40.9) μm; the spore body 14.4 ± 1.1 (13.3–15.5) μm and 7.3 ± 0.6 (6.7–7.9) μm wide. Regarding its 2 polar capsules, they had a length of 5.1 ± 0.4 (4.7–5.5) μm and a width of 2.0 ± 0.1 (1.9–2.1) μm in the same pear-shaped, and each polar capsule contained 9–11 turns. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses denote that this is a new species of the genus Henneguya.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Henneguya cardii n. sp. (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) from the bulbus arteriosus of European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (Teleostei: Moronidae).

A new species of Myxobolidae, Henneguya cardii n. sp., is described infecting the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax, a fish of high commercial value intensively cultivated in southern Europe. Henneguya cardii n. sp. was found in the bulbus arteriosus and spleen with a prevalence of infection of 13.5%. In the heart, it forms irregular whitish plasmodia measuring 1 mm in size. Mature myxospores are broadly obovoid in frontal view and ellipsoidal in lateral view, with 2 equal caudal appendages. Polar capsules are ovoid and symmetric, with 3–4 polar tubule coils. Myxospores measure 10.2 ± 0.6 (8.8–11.6) μm in length, 8.0 ± 0.7 (5.3–8.8) μm in width and 5.6 ± 0.2 (5.1–6.4) μm in thickness. Caudal appendages are 36.6 ± 3.2 (27.4–42.9) μm long. Total spore length is 47.6 ± 3.2 (41.2–53.2) μm. Polar capsules measure 4.0 ± 0.2 (3.4–4.6) by 2.2 ± 0.1 (1.9–2.6) μm. Small subunit ribosomal RNA-based tree topologies position H. cardii n. sp. within a lineage of marine myxobolids that is mostly comprised of other Henneguya species. Host-relatedness is reinforced as the main evolutionary driver for myxobolids, with the positioning of H. cardii n. sp. further suggesting tissue tropism as another important evolutionary driver for marine heart infecting Henneguya. Nonetheless, the inner complexity of this lineage suggests that identification of the evolutionary patterns driving its phylogeny will require discovery of the true diversity of marine myxobolids.

Three New Truffle Species (Tuber, Tuberaceae, Pezizales, and Ascomycota) from Yunnan, China, and Multigen Phylogenetic Arrangement within the Melanosporum Group.

Based on a multi-locus phylogeny of a combined dataset of ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 and comprehensive morphological analyses, we describe three new species from the Melanosporum group of genus Tuber and synonymize T. pseudobrumale and T. melanoexcavatum. Phylogenetically, the three newly described species, T. yunnanense, T. melanoumbilicatum and T. microexcavatum, differ significantly in genetic distance from any previously known species. Morphologically, T. yunnanense is distinctly different from its closest phylogenetically related species, T. longispinosum, due to its long shuttle-shape spores (average the ratio of spore length to spore width for all spores (Qm) = 1.74). Tuber melanoumbilicatum differs from the other species in having a cavity and long shuttle-shaped spores (Qm = 1.65). Although T. microexcavatum sampled ascomata have relatively low maturity, they can be distinguished from its closely related species T. pseudobrumale by the ascomata size, surface warts, and spore number per asci; additionally, phylogenetic analysis supports it as a new species. In addition, molecular analysis from 22 newly collected specimens and Genebank data indicate that T. pseudobrumale and T. melanoexcavatum are clustered into a single well-supported clade (Bootstrap (BS) = 100, posterior probabilities (PP) = 1.0); and morphological characteristics do not differ. Therefore, based on the above evidence and publication dates, we conclude that T. melanoexcavatum is a synonym of T. pseudobrumale. By taking into account current knowledge and combining the molecular, multigene phylogenetic clade arrangement and morphological data, we propose that the Melanosporum group should be divided into four subgroups. Diagnostic morphological features and an identification key of all known species in the Melanosporum group are also included. Finally, we also provide some additions to the knowledge of the characterization of T. pseudobrumale, T. variabilisporum, and T. pseudohimalayense included in subgroup 1 of the Melanosporum group.

Ceratomyxa matosi n. sp. (Myxozoa: Ceratomyxidae) parasitizing the gallbladder of Boulengerella cuvieri (Characiformes: Ctenoluciidae) State of Amapá, Brazilian Amazon.

Myxozoa is a class of the Phylum Cnidaria made up of endoparasites from aquatic habitats. The genus Ceratomyxa preferentially infects marine fish, with the gallbladder being the main site parasitized. This study aimed to describe a new species of Ceratomyxa found in this organ in Boulengerella cuvieri using morphological, morphometric characterization and phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA gene sequences. Specimens of B. cuvieri were collected, anesthetized, desensitized and biometric measurements were performed. The organs were analyzed under a stereomicroscope and fragments of internal organs were extracted for light microscopy analysis, preserved in 80% ethanol for 18S rDNA gene analysis and fixed in Davidson solution for histological processing. Free spores of Ceratomyxa were observed in the gallbladder, in plasmodia with wave-like movements, with the following dimensions: spore width (24.5 ± 0.4) µm, spore length (5.2 ± 0.3) µm, polar capsule width (1.8 ± 0.2) µm, polar capsule length (2.1 ± 0.3) µm, number of polar tubule turns (4-5) and 100% prevalence. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Ceratomyxa matosi n. sp. is a new species, grouped with other freshwater Ceratomyxa species from the Amazon, representing the second description of species of this genus in the state of Amapá.

First report of a Kudoa lutjanus outbreak in farmed Chicken Grunts Parapristipoma trilineatum.

As part of the National Disease Surveillance Program for Taiwanese Aquaculture, we investigated the causative agent of disease outbreaks in farmed Chicken Grunts Parapristipoma trilineatum. In this study, outbreak cases on two separate farms were noticed in coastal Pingtung County, Taiwan. In total, 50 juvenile fish showing clinical signs (such as emaciation and erratic swimming behavior) and broodstock (two females and two males) from both farms were collected to perform gross lesion assessment, histopathological examination, and molecular identification of the pathogen. Clinical symptoms were infected fish exhibited erratic swimming behavior, such as whirling and floating on the surface of the water. In the following months, cumulative mortality had reached 19% and 24%, respectively. The gross lesions in the infected fish included white oval cysts in the muscle, serosa of the internal organs, sclera of the eyes, and cerebral meninges. After conducting a wet mount examination of cysts using a light microscope, we observed a significant quantity of spores with morphological characteristics, suggesting their affiliation with the Myxosporea group. The spores were semiquadrate, with four tiny suture notches at the periphery; the mean spore length was 7.3 μm (SD = 0.5), and the mean spore width was 8.2 μm (SD = 0.6). The mean length and width of the pyriform polar capsules (nematocysts) were 3.6 μm (SD = 0.5) and 2.2 μm (SD = 0.5), respectively. The 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA sequences of these specimens were identical to those of Kudoa lutjanus. As this was the first time an outbreak of K. lutjanus in Chicken Grunts was confirmed, its reappearance with substantial mortality should serve as a warning to the aquaculture industry.

First report of Botryosphaeria dothidea causing brown leaf spot on Daimyo oak, Quercus dentata in China.

Quercus dentata is a deciduous oak species widely distributed in northern China, with short petioles and dense grayish brown stellate tomentose on the abaxial surface (Lyu et al., 2018). Q. dentata is cold-tolerant (Du et al., 2022), and its broad leaves are used for tussah silkworm rearing, traditional Chinese medicine, kashiwa mochi in Japan, and Manchu delicacy in Northeast China (Wang et al., 2023). In June 2020, a single Q. dentata plant with brown leaf spots was observed in the Oak Germplasm Resources Nursery (N41°82', E123°56') in SYAU, Shenyang, China. From 2021 through 2022, other two nearby Q. dentata plants (six trees in all) became diseased with similar brown spots on their leaves. The small brown lesions with subcircular or irregular shape gradually expanded, and then the entire leaf turned brown. Under magnification, the diseased leaves contain many conidia. To identify the pathogen, diseased tissues were surface sterilized in 2% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, and washed in sterile distilled water. Lesion margins were plated onto potato dextrose agar and incubated at 28°C in darkness. The aerial mycelium changed color, from white to dark gray, and dark olive green pigmentation was observed on the medium reverse side after 5 days of incubation. The emerging fungal isolates were repurified by the single-spore method. The mean length and width of spores were 20.32 ± 1.90 × 5.2 ± 0.52 μm (n=50). These morphological characteristics resembled the description of Botryosphaeria dothidea (Slippers et al., 2014). For molecular identification, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, translation elongation factor1 alpha (tef1-α), and beta-tubulin (tub) were amplified. These new sequences GenBank accession nos. are OQ383627.1, OQ387861.1 and OQ387862.1. Blastn searches showed 100% homology with ITS sequence of B. dothidea strain P31B (KF293892.1) and 98 to 99% similarity with tef and tub sequences of B. dothidea isolate ZJXC2 (KP183219.1) and B. dothidea isolate SHSJ2-1 (KP183133.1). The sequences were also concatenated for phylogenetic analysis (maximum likelihood). Result support isolate SY1 in the same clade as B. dothidea. Based on the multi-gene phylogeny and morphology, the isolated fungus associated with brown leaf spot on Q. dentata was identified as B. dothidea. Pathogenicity tests were performed on five-year-old potted plants. Conidial suspensions (106 conidial/mL) were applied on punctured leaves using a sterile needle and non-punctured leaves. Non-inoculated plants spayed with sterile water served as control. Plants were placed in a growth chamber at 25°C on a 12h fluorescent light/dark regime. Symptoms similar to those from natural infections were observed after 7 to 9 days (non-punctured also infected). No symptoms were found on non-inoculated plants. The pathogenicity test was repeated three times. Fungi re-isolated from inoculated leaves were comfirmed as B. dothidea on the basis of morphological and molecular characterization as described above, fulfilling Koch's postulates. B. dothidea was previously reported as a pathogen causing branch diebacks and twig dieback on sycamore, red oak (Quercus rubra), and English oak (Quercus robur) in Italy (Turco et al., 2006). It has also been reported to cause leaf spot on Celtis sinensis, Camellia oleifera and Kadsura coccinea in China (Wang et al., 2021; Hao et al., 2022; Su et al., 2021). To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. dothidea inducing leaf spot on Q. dentata in China.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Hypoxylon zhaotongensis sp. nov. (Hypoxylaceae, Xylariales), a bambusicolous fungus from Yunnan, China

During a survey of bambusicolous fungi in Yunnan Province, southwestern China, several saprobic fungi associated with dead bamboo culms were collected and cursorily identified as species belonging to Xylariales (Sordariomycetes), based on a morphological approach. In this study, a new species, Hypoxylon zhaotongensis, from bamboo was established. In addition, molecular analyses based on multiple gene sequences (ITS, LSU, RPB2, β-tubulin) were carried out to determine the phylogenetic placement of the new isolates. The morphological characteristics show that our new taxon differs from the known Hypoxylon species in having broader asci and ascospores with conspicuously straight germ-slit, which is less than the spore length. Detailed description, photo-plate and a phylogenetic tree showing the taxonomic placement of the new species are provided in this paper.

Multivalvulidan myxosporeans from marine fishes in Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam, with descriptions of Kudoa igori n. sp. and Kudoa borimiri n. sp. from mullets.

In March and April 2018, we carried out a survey of myxosporean parasites in coastal fishes collected from Nha Trang Bay in Vietnam's East Sea. Of the 159 fish specimens, 18 fish species were represented, belonging to 10 families. In 8 host species, 7 myxosporean species were found, representing the genera Kudoa and Unicapsula. Two of these species were new to science: Kudoa igori n. sp. from the gallbladder of Longarm mullet Osteomugil cunnesius (Valenciennes, 1836) (prevalence 10%) and Kudoa borimiri n. sp. from skeletal muscles of Longarm mullet and Longfinned mullet Osteomugil perusii (Valenciennes, 1836) (prevalence 30% and 60%, respectively). Vegetative stages were not found. Spores of K. igori n. sp. were small, orbicular to quadrate in apical view, and with four equal valves. In lateral view, spores were shallowly ovoid with a slightly protruding anterior pole. The 4 polar capsules were slightly unequal sizes and were oriented toward the apex of the spore. Dimensions were as follows: spore length 4.56 ± 0.22 (4.18-4.56), thickness 4.42 ± 0.39 (3.55-5.13), width 5.74 ± 0.46 (4.66-6.50), length of biggest polar capsule 1.38 ± 0.14 (1.1-1.65), middle 1.28 ± 0.12 (1.03-1.53), smallest 1.13 ± 0.11 (0.94-1.30), width of biggest polar capsule 1.03 ± 0.14 (0.83-1.4), middle 0.92 ± 0.12 (0.76-1.08), smallest 0.74 ± 0.12 (0.55-0.94). Spores of K. borimiri n. sp. had four equal valves with slightly rounded ends and were quadrate in apical view. In lateral view, spores were broadly deltoid. Four equal-sized polar capsules opened at the apex of the spore. In O. cunnesius, spore dimensions were as follows: length 3.51 ± 0.15 (3.34-3.92), thickness 3.65 ± 0.38 (2.79-4.21), width 4.97 ± 0.37 (4.13-5.97), length of the polar capsules 1.23 ± 0.18 (0.99-1.57), width 0.88 ± 0.07 (0.70-1.00). Overlapping dimensions for K. borimiri n. sp. spores were also found in O. perusii. Other known myxozoan species we encountered were Kudoa thyrsites and Kudoa whippsi, which had not previously been reported from the East Sea and Vietnam. We also encountered Kudoa monodactyli, which had not previously been reported from Nha Trang Bay. In addition, we report 2 additional species, a Kudoa sp. and a Unicapsula sp., that were not attributable to previously described myxozoans and need further investigation to completely characterize.

Detection and Characterization of Nosema bombycis Using TEM and SEM Techniques.

Pebrine disease is the most important and dangerous disease of silkworm caused by Nosema bombycis as an obligate intracellular parasitic fungus. It has caused tremendous economic losses in the silk industry in recent years. Given the fact that light microscopy method (with low accuracy) is the only method for diagnosing pebrine disease in the country, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods were adopted in this study for accurate morphological identification of the spores causing pebrine disease. Infected larvae and mother moth samples were collected from several farms (Parand, Parnian, Shaft, and Iran Silk Research Center in Gilan province, Iran). The spores were then purified using the sucrose gradient method. From each region, 20 and 10 samples were prepared for SEM and TEM analysis, respectively. In addition, an experiment was performed to evaluate the symptoms of pebrine disease by treating fourth instars with the spores purified for the present study, along with a control group. The results of SEM analysis showed that the mean±SD length and width of spores were 1.99±0.25 to 2.81±0.32 μm, respectively. Based on the obtained results, the size of spores was smaller than the Nosema bombycis (N. bombycis) as the classic species that cause pebrine disease. In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures showed that the grooves of the adult spores were deeper than those of other Nosema species, Vairomorpha, and Pleistophora, and resembled N. bombycis in other studies. Examination of pathogenicity of the studied spores indicated that the disease symptoms in controlled conditions were similar to those in the sampled farms. The most important symptom in fourth and fifth instrars were the small size and no growth in the treatment group compared with the control group. Findings of SEM and TEM analysis showed better morphological and structural details of parasite compared with light microscopy, and demonstrated that the studied species were a native strain of N. bombycis specific to Iran, whose size and other characteristics were unique and introduced for the first time in this study.

Rosellinia qiongensis sp. nov., R. verticillata sp. nov. and a new record of R. lamprostoma from China

Three Rosellinia species were collected from southern China. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, two are introduced as new species while the other is reported as a new record. Rosellinia qiongensis sp. nov. and R. verticillata sp. nov. belong to the R. emergens group. Rosellinia qiongensis differs from its similar species by its dimension of ascospores and three short germ slits on ascospores. Rosellinia verticillata differs from species in this group by its ascospores with whole spore length germ silt and surrounded by a thin slimy sheath. All taxa are made available to illustrations and descriptions.

Morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular analysis of a new species of Myxobolus (Cnidaria, Myxosporea) parasitizing Apareiodon piracicabae (Characiformes, Parodontidae) from Brazil.

About forty-two species of Myxobolus have been previously described to parasitize characiform fishes in South America. Here, we described a new myxozoan species, Myxobolus parodontidis n. sp., in the gills of Apareiodon piracicabae (Characiformes, Parodontidae) from the streams of the Middle Paranapanema River basin, Brazil. The proposed new species is supported by a combination of morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular characterization (small subunit ribosomal DNA). Thirteen specimens of A. piracicabae were analyzed and 30.8% was infected by Myxobolus parodontidis n. sp. The myxospores was classified as intralamellar asymmetric type. A few aberrant myxospores with three polar capsules were observed: the spore length and width were the same of normal myxospores, but the polar capsules had smaller sizes. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the plasmodial membrane of Myxobolus parodontidis n. sp. was in direct contact with the host tissue and a connective capsule surrounding the plasmodium was not observed. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the main influence in the clustering of species of myxobolids seems to be related to the phylogenetic relationships established among fish hosts, mainly at the level of family and order. This is the first record of a myxozoan species parasitizing parodontid fish, contributing to the knowledge of the biodiversity of myxozoans from Brazil.

Taxonomy and Systematics of Two New Species of Myxobolus (Cnidaria: Myxobolidae) Parasitizing the Gills of Mugil curema (Mugilidae) from the Brazilian Coast

We describe two new species of Myxobolus (Myxobolidae) found parasitizing Mugil curema from two locations in Brazil: Myxobolus curemae n. sp. from gill arch and rays and Myxobolus maceioensis n. sp. from gill lamellae. We based the descriptions on myxospore morphology, histology, and small-subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. Myxospores of the two new species had similar morphology and morphometry but differed in spore body width and length, and ssrDNA sequences differed by 10.5%. These data supported the diagnosis of the parasites as distinct and novel species. The phylogenetic analysis showed a subclade formed by species that parasitize Mugiliformes, with M. maceioensis n. sp. as a sister species of Myxobolus episquamalis and Myxobolus bizerti, while there is a group of six species that are sister related to M. curemae n. sp. Our analysis was consistent with previous studies suggesting that orders of the hosts are strongly correlated with phylogenetic signals in the Myxobolidae. Myxobolus curemae n. sp. and M. maceioensis n. sp. are new species identified parasitizing M. curema.

Asociación ectomicorrícica de Astraeus aff. hygrometricus (Pers.) Morgan con encinares relicto del Altiplano Potosino, México

Introduction: In the high mountain ranges of the Altiplano Potosino there are relict forests of Quercusspp. The species of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with these ecosystems are so far unknown. Objective: To know the morphology of Astraeus aff. hygrometricus (Pers.) Morgan associated with Quercus species in three sites of scarce precipitation in the Altiplano Potosino. Materials and methods: Ectomycorrhizal fungi and vegetative structures of oak were collected during the rainy season for morphological characterization and identification. Soil physicochemical variables were evaluated by Tukey’s analysis of variance and least significant difference (P = 0.05), to identify differences among the studied sites (Cerro El Peñon Blanco, Sierras de Guanamé and La Mojonera). Results and discussion: The ectomycorrhizal species A. aff. hygrometricus was associated with Quercus potosina Trel.,Q. pringlei SeemenexLoes., Q. tinkhamii C. H. Muller and Q. striatula Trel. The fungi had five to 14 laciniae per basidiomata and the following diameter ranges: 13 to 20 mm (endoperidium), 42.3 to 57.4 mm (exoperidium), 8 to 10.1 μm (spore length), 4.4 to 6.9 μm (endoperidium hyphae) and 4.9 to 9.2 μm (exoperidium hyphae). Oak and fungal species were found in friable soils (sandy to clayey) with pH 5 to 7.7 and low nitrogen (<2 %) and high phosphorus contents (85 mg∙kg-1). Conclusion: The ectomycorrhizal association of A. aff. hygrometricus with oak species explains the survival of these shrub oak forests under the semi-arid environments of the studied sites.

Molecular and morphological description of Myxidium parvum (Cnidaria) from Salaria pavo (Blenniidae) in the Black Sea.

Members of the predominantly coelozioc genus Myxidum Bütschli, 1882 with more than 232 species have been reported from a wide variety of marine and freshwater fish species worldwide. In this study, 25 specimens of peacock blenny, Salaria pavo, were collected from Sinop on the Turkish Black Sea coast. The gills, fins, skin, urinary bladder, gal bladder, kidney, liver, gonads and smooth muscle tissue of the collected samples were investigated for myxosporean parasites. Myxidium parvum Yurakhno, 1991 was the only myxosporean found in the gall bladder of host fishes. Based on spore morphology, M. parvum had mostly overlapping measurement data of original description in spore length and width, polar capsule length but differed slightly in width; however, they were within the ranges previously reported from other blenniid host fish species in the Black Sea. Moreover, in this study, molecular analysis of the 18S rDNA gene of M. parvum isolates from S. pavo was done for the first time and our M. parvum genotypes appeared as sister to Myxidium incurvatum within the "Lineage II" of the marine Myxidium clade.

Morphological characteristics of summer truffle (Tuber aestivum Vittad.) from Bosnia and Herzegovina

The aim of this paper is to present as accurately as possible the morphological characteristics of the summer truffle, found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to compare them with the characteristics of the previously described specimens in other countries and regions.
 Well-developed fruiting bodies of summer truffles (Tuber aestivum Vittad.) were found in oak and beech forests on calcareous soils in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the help of trained dogs.
 On the basis of a representative sample, composed of specimens, collected during three consecutive truffle seasons, the following were analyzed: shape, size and mass of ascocarps, structure of the harvest, gleba color, size and shape of ascospores.
 It was found, that predominant geometric shape of their fruiting bodies is ellipsoid with an average mass of 44.3 g. Most acocarps weighed less than 20 g. As the weight of the pieces increases, their frequency decreases, so that ascocarps over 60 g participate in number with only 20 % and by weight with 47.2 % of the total yield. The length of spores ranges from 26.0 to 35.8 μm, with an average of 30.3 μm, while the width of spores varies from 17.2 to 26.1 μm, with an average of 21.3 μm. The Q-shape parameter takes values in a wide range from 1.16, which roughly corresponds to the globular shape, to 1.64 for the distinctly ellipsoidal shape.
 In sum, the shape and size of the summer truffle ascocarps and spores native to Bosnia and Herzegovina fit the general picture of this taxon.

Cultural, Morphological and Pathogenic Variability in Alternaria cyamopsidis Causing Alternaria Blight of Clusterbean in Rajasthan

Background: Alternaria cyamopsidis (Rang. and Rao) causes Alternaria blight of clusterbean and it is one of the significant disease of clusterbean. Studies were conducted to compare the Cultural, morphological and pathogenic variability among ten isolates of Alternaria cyamopsidis from clusterbean, in five districts of Rajasthan viz., Bikaner, Barmer, Churu, Hanumangarh and Jaipur. Methods: During 2016-17 exhaustive survey was conducted in clusterbean growing areas of Rajasthan and collected diseased samples of clusterbean caused by Alternaria. All the samples were processed for isolation, purification and their pathogenicity was proved in cagehouse and laboratory and standard methods were adopted for cultural and morphological variability study. Result: All the isolates showed variation in their morphological characters, i.e., colony color and shape; conidial number, size, width, length, shape and septation on PDA. Out of ten isolates two isolate, viz., AlcyJp1 and AlcyJp2 showed maximum colony diameter 89.50 and 86.30 mm, respectively. All the isolates varied in their spore length and width and virulent on the tested variety of clusterbean for virulence. AlcyJp1 was the most virulent and produced maximum (65.50%) disease intensity, followed by AlcyJp2 isolate (61.22%).

Do fungal spore morphological traits correlate with allergenicity?

Fungal spores, like pollen, are identified as sources of allergens, yet fungal spore morphology, unlike pollen morphology, has not been correlated with allergenicity. In this study, we listed allergenic fungi reported from published literature and gathered information about their spore morphologies including the species’ lifestyle, the ability to produce mycotoxins, and the types of hypersensitivity reactions they induced. We tested the association of these spore traits with the hypersensitivity reaction through correspondence analysis with Chisquare as the measure of distance. Our research listed a total of 158 species of allergenic fungi belonging to 82 genera and 30 taxonomic orders. Most of the species (n = 122) elicited a Type I hypersensitivity reaction while 33 species had more than one hypersensitivity type (Types I-III-IV). The most common allergenic fungi belong to the genus Alternaria (41 species). Two fungal taxa commonly found in spoiled food, Penicillium (9 species) and Aspergillus (8 species), were also listed as allergenic. We did not find any strong correlation between allergenic reaction with the following spore traits: shape, texture, color, size, appendages, and with the type of spores, presence of mycotoxins, and the species lifestyle. However, spore length and width were positively associated with hypersensitivity reaction. Allergenic fungi with short and/or narrow spores can likely cause multiple types of hypersensitivity reactions while fungi with large and/or wide spores can induce either Type I or Type III hypersensitivity reaction. Our research study provides interesting insights into the role of fungal spore morphologies in human allergenicity.

Description of Two Novel Henneguya (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) Infecting Curimatid Fish, Using Morphological, Histological, and Molecular Analyses.

We describe two new Henneguya spp. (Myxobolidae) found parasitizing Cyphocharax modestus from Pardo river, Paraná river basin, municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil: Henneguya fastigata n. sp. from gill lamellae and Henneguya pardensis n. sp. from gill arches. We based the descriptions on myxospore morphology, histology, and small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. In this investigation, 50 specimens of Cyphocharax modestus were examined between July and December 2020 for myxozoan infections. Morphological characterization was based on the mature myxospores. The small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences were used for molecular and phylogenetic study. Phylogenetic analysis provided the evolutionary position of these new species with other myxobolids species. Myxospores of the two species had similar morphology and morphometrics, but differed in spore body width and length, and ssrDNA sequences differed by 7.2%. These data supported the diagnosis of the parasites as distinct and novel species. The phylogenetic analysis showed a well-supported subclade formed by species that parasitize curimatid fishes, with Henneguya gilbert as a sister species of Henneguya fastigata n. sp., and Henneguya pardensis n. sp. as a sister species of both species. Our analysis was consistent with previous studies suggesting that orders and families of the hosts are strongly correlated with phylogenetic signals in the Myxobolidae. These are the first species of myxozoans described in the Pardo river.

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF Heteranthera reniformis EXTRACTS AGAINST Bipolaris oryzae1

ABSTRACT Plants synthesize specialized metabolites to defend themselves against pathogens. These active compounds, when isolated and identified, can be used as template for fungicide development. Based on field observations, Heteranthera reniformis (kidney leaf mudplantain) could potentially synthesize compounds with antifungal activity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the fungicidal activity of H. reniformis leaf extracts on Bipolaris oryzae development. The activities of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of H. reniformis leaves were tested on mycelial growth, sporulation, and colony morphology. Due to the highest inhibition of B. oryzae sporulation, methanol extract was chosen for concentration tests. The effect of methanol extract on B. oryzae spore length and germination was also evaluated. Methanolic extract was the most active in inhibiting B. oryzae sporulation. The morphology of the colonies is altered when the fungus grows in medium containing H. reniformis leaf extracts. Higher concentration of methanol extract stimulates mycelial growth and suppresses B. oryzae sporulation. There are reductions in length and number of germinated B. oryzae spores caused by methanol extract of H. reniformis leaves. Methanolic extract has compounds with antifungal activity and should be subjected to bioassay-guided isolation for purification and identification of these active compounds.

Phylogeny and ultrastructure of Henneguya fusiformis Kostoïngué, Fall, Faye and Toguebaye 1999, a newly recorded species infecting the ovaries of Clarias gariepinus in Egypt.

The genus Henneguya is the second largest within the class Myxosporea, which infects marine and freshwater fish. One hundred Clarias gariepinus specimens were collected alive from a branch of the Nile River in Kafrelsheikh, Egypt. Microscopic and molecular procedures were used to describe how Henneguya fusiformis infects the ovaries of C. gariepinus. The infected fish showed no pathogenic changes except for macroscopic creamy whitish nodules in their ovaries with the highest prevalence during the spring season. The mature spores are spindle-shaped. The total spore length, spore body length and width are 53.4 ± 0.8 (52.5-54.3)µm, 29.8 ± 0.5 (29.2-30.4) µm and 6.5 ± 0.3 (6.1-6.9)µm, respectively. The spore anterior end consisted of two equal polar capsules, located in a tandem position, each one measuring 4.2 × 2.1µm. The polar filament formed a coil with 6-8 turns. The measurement of the spore end with two extended processes was 24.3 ± 0.4 (23.9-24.8)µm. Phylogenetic analyses of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequence revealed that H. fusiformis are clustered together with other myxobolids that are histozoic in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and Asian Redtail catfish, Hemibagrus nemurus" (Clariidae) in the United States and Malaysia, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of H. fusiformis in Egypt. Additionally, our study is the first record of H. fusiformis in the ovaries of C. gariepinus.