Cucumispora ornata n. sp. (Fungi: Microsporidia) infecting invasive 'demon shrimp' (Dikerogammarus haemobaphes) in the United Kingdom.
Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, the 'demon shrimp', is an amphipod native to the Ponto-Caspian region. This species invaded the UK in 2012 and has become widely established. Dikerogammarus haemobaphes has the potential to introduce non-native pathogens into the UK, creating a potential threat to native fauna. This study describes a novel species of microsporidian parasite infecting 72.8% of invasive D. haemobaphes located in the River Trent, UK. The microsporidium infection was systemic throughout the host; mainly targeting the sarcolemma of muscle tissues. Electron microscopy revealed this parasite to be diplokaryotic and have 7-9 turns of the polar filament. The microsporidium is placed into the 'Cucumispora' genus based on host histopathology, fine detail parasite ultrastructure, a highly similar life-cycle and SSU rDNA sequence phylogeny. Using this data this novel microsporidian species is named Cucumispora ornata, where 'ornata' refers to the external beading present on the mature spore stage of this organism. Alongside a taxonomic discussion, the presence of a novel Cucumispora sp. in the United Kingdom is discussed and related to the potential control of invasive Dikerogammarus spp. in the UK and the health of native species which may come into contact with this parasite.
Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Pathology and Molecular Systematics Team, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK. Electronic address: bs09jb@leeds.ac.uk.
Jamie
J
Bojko
Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. Electronic address: A.Dunn@Leeds.ac.uk.
Alison M
AM
Dunn
Epidemiology and Risk Team, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK. Electronic address: Paul.Stebbing@Cefas.co.uk.
Paul D
PD
Stebbing
Pathology and Molecular Systematics Team, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK; European Union Reference Laboratory for Crustacean Diseases, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK. Electronic address: Stuart.Ross@Cefas.co.uk.
Stuart H
SH
Ross
Pathology and Molecular Systematics Team, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK; European Union Reference Laboratory for Crustacean Diseases, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK. Electronic address: Rose.Kerr@Cefas.co.uk.
Rose C
RC
Kerr
Pathology and Molecular Systematics Team, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK; European Union Reference Laboratory for Crustacean Diseases, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK. Electronic address: Grant.Stentiford@Cefas.co.uk.
Grant D
GD
Stentiford
D033304:Amphipoda / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D006113:United Kingdom
Amphipod; Biological control; Invasive non-native species; Microsporidia; Phylogeny; Ponto-Caspian region