title: Light and electron microscope observations on presporogonic and sporogonic stages of Sphaerospora epinepheli (Myxosporea) in grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus).
abstract: Presporogonic (blood) stages of Sphaerospora epinepheli Supamattaya, Fischer-Scherl, Hoffmann, Boonyaratpalin, 1990 were observed in the circulating blood, sinus of kidney, glomerurar capillaries and liver arteries of grouper Epinephelus malabaricus. The earliest detectable stage was a primary cell with one secondary cell. After cell divisions, nine to 16 secondary cells were found in one primary cell. Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense bodies (118-145 nm) in the cytoplasm of primary cells. Sporogonic stages and spores were located in Bowman's space and in kidney tubule lumens. Electron micrographs revealed a similar pattern of spore development as described from other Sphaerospora spp. Kidneys infected with S. epinepheli showed highly vacuolated tubular epithelial cells and severely affected renal corpuscles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aquatic Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkla, Thailand.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Supamattaya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fischer-Scherl
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boonyaratpalin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005399:Fishes / Q000469:parasitology*; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000473:pathology; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal; D013170:Spores / Q000648:ultrastructure