Morphological and Molecular Analysis Describing Two New Species of <i>Myxobolus</i> (Cnidaria, Myxosporea) in <i>Mugil curema</i> (Mugilidae) from Brazil
Diego Henrique Mirandola Dias Vieira,
Melissa Miyuki Osaki-Pereira,
Vanessa Doro Abdallah,
Sarah Letícia Paiva Oliveira,
Aline Gabriely Torres Duarte,
Reinaldo José da Silva,
Rodney Kozlowiski de Azevedo
Affiliations
Diego Henrique Mirandola Dias Vieira
Division of Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu 18618-689, São Paulo, Brazil
Melissa Miyuki Osaki-Pereira
Division of Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu 18618-689, São Paulo, Brazil
Vanessa Doro Abdallah
Parasitology and Pathology Sector, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió 57072-970, Alagoas, Brazil
Sarah Letícia Paiva Oliveira
Parasitology and Pathology Sector, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió 57072-970, Alagoas, Brazil
Aline Gabriely Torres Duarte
Parasitology and Pathology Sector, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió 57072-970, Alagoas, Brazil
Reinaldo José da Silva
Division of Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu 18618-689, São Paulo, Brazil
Rodney Kozlowiski de Azevedo
Postgraduate Program in Environmental Systems Analysis, CESMAC University Center, Maceió 57051-160, Alagoas, Brazil
We present descriptions of two newly discovered species of Myxobolus (Myxobolidae) that infect Mugil curema: Myxobolus mundauensis n. sp. found in gills and Myxobolus patriciae n. sp. found in intestines. These descriptions are based on the morphology of myxospores, histological analysis, and sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (ssrDNA). The myxospores of both species differ in the width and length of their spore bodies, and their ssrDNA sequences showed a 10.6% difference. These findings support the identification of these parasites as distinct and previously unknown species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a subclade consisting of species that parasitize Mugiliformes, with Myxobolus mundauensis n. sp. being closely related to Myxobolus maceioensis, and Myxobolus patriciae n. sp. being closely related to Myxobolus curemae. Our analysis aligns with previous research suggesting a strong correlation between host orders and phylogenetic patterns within the Myxobolidae family.
