Kudoa thyrsithes (Myxozoa, Multivalvulida) causing "milky condition" in the musculature of paralichthys adspersus (Neopterygii, Pleuronectiformes, (Paralichthyidae) from Chile

Abstract

During the study of the parasitic fauna of Paralichthys adspersus, 16 specimens collected in Taltal (25 degree 22 degree S, 70 degree 31'W) were examined. One of them, a female (length = 30 cm, weight = 250 g), presented musculature soft to the touch. When dissected, the musculature depicted four whitish, emaciated areas (two for each side of the body). The tissue was observed under SEM, using the usual techniques. The spores were drawn with the aid of a camera lucida. The analisis determined the presence of mature and developing spores of myxozoan. According to the number of valves, polar capsules and the presence of a large polar capsules, one small and two of median, and the size of the spores, this protozoan was identified as Kudoa thyrsites.