First report of the myxozoan parasite Myxobolus episquamalis infecting grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) from New Zealand

Abstract

In November 2013 the Animal Health Laboratory, Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand, received a report of a grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) presenting reddish-white granular lesions across its body. Gross pathological examination revealed cyst-like lesions on the distal portion of the scales and proximal part of the fins. Giemsa-stained wet preparations of these lesions presumptively identified spores as Myxobolus sp. DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene further identified these spores as Myxobolus episquamalis. This is the first report of Myxobolus episquamalis infecting M. cephalus from New Zealand.