title: Synopsis of the species of the genus Sphaeromyxa Thélohan, 1892 (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida: Variisporina: Sphaeromyxidae).
abstract: Sphaeromyxa spp. are parasites of marine fishes, infecting the gall-bladders or bile ducts. The spores of these species possess characteristic ribbon-like polar filaments, a unique character among myxozoans. This unique character is also a synapomorphy consistent with estimates of phylogeny for this group which forms a lineage distinct from other myxozoans. There are 49 nominal species of Sphaeromyxa Thélohan, 1892 for which a synopsis is provided, reporting spore dimensions, spore shape, locality, and host species. A line drawing is also provided for each species.
authors.affiliation: SUNY-ESF, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Environmental and Forest Biology, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA. cwhipps@esf.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6139-0426
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Whipps
authors.affiliation: Chongqing Key Laboratory of Animal Biology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 400047, China.
authors.forename: Yuanjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058507:Host Specificity; D055764:Myxozoa / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D033761:Spores, Protozoan / Q000166:cytology