The first finding of myxosporean development from plasmodia to spores in terrestrial mammals: Soricimyxum fegati gen. et sp. n. (Myxozoa) from Sorex araneus (Soricomorpha)

Abstract

Abstract. Soricimyxum fegati gen. et sp. n. is a new myxosporean (Myxozoa) species discovered in the liver of shrews, Sorex araneus L., collected in the Bialowieza primeval forest (Poland). Both developmental stages and mature spores were found during a histological study. The infection had about 40% prevalence at the investigated locality. Plasmodia were polysporic. Elongated plasmodia with an average size of 30 by 8 µm occupied bile ducts and larger rounded plasmodia up to 80 µm in diameter were found in liver parenchyma where they most probably entered after the ducts had been destructed. Plasmodia in both locations elicited a vigorous inflammatory reaction. Spores were of an ovoid shape, 7 µm long, 5.4 µm wide and about 3.5 µm thick. They had two shell valves and two equal polar capsules, located in opposite ends of the spore.

A novel myxozoan parasite of terrestrial mammals: description of Soricimyxum minuti sp. n. (Myxosporea) in pygmy shrew Sorex minutus from Hungary

“…Morphologically, myxospores from the two shrew species appeared identical and matched previous reports of S. fegati (Dyková et al 2007, Prunescu et al 2007). We observed that spores from both hosts had two to three polar filament turns within the polar capsules, whereas S. fegati is reported to have one to two turns.…”

“…We observed that spores from both hosts had two to three polar filament turns within the polar capsules, whereas S. fegati is reported to have one to two turns. Morphometrically, spores found in both shrew species were inseparable in all dimensions, and equivalent to measurements of S. fegati made by Dyková et al (2007) who showed, by re-measurement of the type material, that the type spore dimensions (Prunescu et al 2007) were erroneously small. The similarity in measurements between S. fegati and S. minuti sp.…”

“…More recently, Prunescu et al (2007) described unambiguous myxozoan developmental stages and mature Myxidium/Zschokella-type myxospores from the parenchyma and the intrahepatic bile ducts in the common shrew Sorex araneus Linnaeus, in Poland. This novel parasite, Soricimyxum fegati Prunescu, Prunescu, Pucek et Lom, 2007, was classified into a new genus to reflect the heretofore atypical vertebrate host.…”

“…This novel parasite, Soricimyxum fegati Prunescu, Prunescu, Pucek et Lom, 2007, was classified into a new genus to reflect the heretofore atypical vertebrate host. Subsequent survey work in the Czech Republic showed the host range of the parasite included not only common shrews, but also pygmy shrews Sorex minutus Linnaeus, and the lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas) (Dyková et al 2007(Dyková et al , 2011.…”

Two new and two already known species of genus Thelohanellus Kudo, 1933 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) infecting Indian major carp fishes in Punjab wetlands (India)

“…However, three more genera (Soricimyxum, Gadimyxa, Thelohanelloid) with type species S. fegati Prunescu et al 2007 from liver of Sorex araneus; G. atlantica Koie et al 2007 from urinary system of Gadus morhua and T. bengalensis Sarkar 2009 from gall bladder of Arius sagor have been described subsequently. Phylum Myxozoa has been studied by only limited number of workers in Indian subcontinent.…”