Description and Seasonal Variation in Incidence of a New Species of Myxosporidian Parasite (Class Myxosporidea) of the Bluegill Sunfish, Lepomis Macrochirus Rafineque, in Kentucky

摘要

A new histozoic myxosporidian parasite (Class Mysoxporidea), Myxobolus meglitschi sp. nov., infecting young-of-the-year and yearling bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus Raf., from Shanty Hollow Lake, Warren County, Kentucky was described. Phenology was investigated from January 20 to December, 1969.The magnitude of infection varied seasonally in bluegill. Incidence was highest in July and August (43.92) in host populations, declining, but not disappearing from September to December 20, 1969. The infection exhibited a yearly mean incidence of 22.318.The pattern of distribution of cysts on hosts varied seasonally. During periods of low incidence cysts were confined primarily to a postanal area below the lateral line. During July and August cysts were widespread on hosts.Initial infection of hosts may occur accidentally through contact with spores, incidental to feeding upon protozoan intermediate transfer hosts or other benthic organisms; or, during spawning, by spore contact with eggs or larvae. Development of the parasite from initial spore contact to the production of detectable size cysts appeared to require 80-90 days. The parasite may spread on the host by means of autoinfection.Pathology was limited to scale erosion at the point contact by cysts.