title: Sphaerospora dicentrarchi and S. testicularis (Myxozoa: Sphaerosporidae) in farmed European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from Italy.
abstract: The distribution of Sphaerospora dicentrarchi Sitjà-Bobadilla et Alvarez-Pellitero, 1992 and S. testicularis Sitjà-Bobadilla et Alvarez-Pellitero, 1990, myxozoan parasites of European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), was investigated in different farming systems in Italy. In total, 1406 fish were examined. High S. dicentrarchi prevalence was observed in all the farming systems involved in this survey (extensive farms: 51.5%; intensive farms: inland 59.6%, inshore floating cages 76.2%, offshore floating cages 41.6%) except for submersible cages (7.4%). S. testicularis was detected only in nine male fish from two intensive farms. The epidemiology and pathological effects of the parasites are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Patologia Animale, Università di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy. fioravanti@vet.unibo.it
authors.forename: Maria Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Fioravanti
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caffara
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gustinelli
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marcer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D001492:Bass; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000502:physiology*; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013045:Species Specificity; D033761:Spores, Protozoan / Q000502:physiology