title: Molecular and ultrastructural characterization of Dictyocoela diporeiae n. sp. (Microsporidia), a parasite of Diporeia spp. (Amphipoda, Gammaridea).
abstract: Dictyocoela diporeiae n. sp. is described from Diporeia spp. (Amphipoda, Gammaridea) collected from Lake Superior (USA), and its morphology and taxonomic affiliation are discussed. In hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections of infected amphipods, the microsporidian was observed to infect muscle tissue surrounding the ovaries. Melanized hemocytic encapsulations were often observed in or near masses of microsporidians. The microsporidians appeared as spores measuring 1.99 ± 0.09 μm long by 1.19 ± 0.05 μm wide. Each spore contained eight coils of isofilar polar filaments that were arranged in single ranks. Polar filaments measured 71 ± 3 nm in diameter. A prominent lamellar polaroplast composed of ordered concentric membranes was found at the apical end of the spore surrounding the polar filament. A distinct posterior vacuole was observed at the distal end of the spore. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16s RNA sequences showed that the microsporidian belongs to the genus Dictyocoela, and is most similar to D. berillonum, yet distinctly different. The species is new, based on its morphology, genetic sequence, host, and location within the host.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 1129 Farm Lane, 177K Food Safety and Toxicology Building, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew David
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.affiliation: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 1129 Farm Lane, 177K Food Safety and Toxicology Building, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA - Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, 1129 Farm Lane, 174 Food Safety and Toxicology Building, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faisal
mesh_terms: D033304:Amphipoda / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006114:Great Lakes Region; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010053:Ovary / Q000469:parasitology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D021521:Ribotyping; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S