Myxobolus petenensis n. sp (Myxosporea) from the circumorbital integument of Dorosoma petenense (Clupeidae) in Kentucky Lake.

ABSTRACT

Myxobolus petenensis n. sp. is described from the circumorbital integument of threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) in Kentucky Lake, Kentucky. Preserved spores are subspherical in frontal view and measure 10.1-13.1 microm long and 12.0-15.8 microm wide. The polar capsules are pyriform and often unequal in size, with the larger capsule measuring 6.6-8.0 microm long and 4.8-5.7 microm wide and the smaller capsule 5.7-7.4 microm long and 4.2-5.5 microm wide. Examination of several clupeids, skipjack herring (Alosa chrysochloris), gizzard shad (D. cepedianum), and threadfin shad revealed M. petenensis to infect only threadfin shad. This report of M. petenensis is the first known species of Myxobolus infecting a species of freshwater fish of the family Clupeidae in North America.