First record of Unicapsula seriolae (Myxozoa: Multivalvulida) from the muscle of Malabar grouper Epinephelus malabaricus in Japan

Parasitol Int. 2014 Jun;63(3):561-6. doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Mar 14.

Abstract

Unicapsula seriolae (Myxozoa; Multivalvulida) was found in the trunk muscle of Malabar grouper Epinephelus malabaricus caught off Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Numerous filamentous or sesamoid brown to black lesions were observed in the skeletal muscle. Histopathological observation indicated that the lesions were myxosporean plasmodia encapsulated by a fibrous layer, accompanied by melanin deposition. Spores having one large and two rudimentary polar capsules were subspherical in shape and 6.6 × 6.9 μm in size. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that spores were composed of three spore valves. Morphological characteristics were consistent with U. seriolae, which is reported to cause myoliquefaction in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi in Australia. Molecular analysis of the SSU and LSU rDNA supported identification of the species as U. seriolae. This is the first report of Unicapsula in Japan.

Keywords: Epinephelus malabaricus; Malabar grouper; Myxozoa; Unicapsula seriolae.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bass / parasitology*
  • Fish Diseases / parasitology*
  • Japan
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscle, Skeletal / parasitology*
  • Myxozoa / classification
  • Myxozoa / genetics
  • Myxozoa / isolation & purification*
  • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / parasitology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 28S / genetics
  • Seafood / parasitology*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 28S

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB626096
  • GENBANK/AB638618