ABSTRACT: The development of Myxobolus macrocapsularis Reuss, 1906, a myxosporean parasite of the gills of common bream Abramis brama L., was studied in experimentally infected oligochaetes. In 3 experiments uninfected Tubifex tubifex Müller and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri (Claparéde) were exposed to mature myxospores of M. macrocapsularis. In all experiments, typical triactinospores developed in T. tubifex specimens but no infection was found in L. hoffmeisteri. Triactinospores were released from oligochaetes 66 to 99 d after initial exposure. At that time pansporocysts containing 8 triactinospores were located in the gut epithelium of experimental oligochaetes, but free actinosporean stages were also found in the gut lumen of the oligochaetes. Each triactinospore had 3 pyriform polar capsules and a barrel-shaped sporoplasm with 32 secondary cells. The spore body joined the 3 caudal projections with a stout style.

KEY WORDS: Myxobolus macrocapsularis · Myxospore · Gill parasite · Abramis brama · Intraoligochaete development · Tubifex tubifex · Triactinospore

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Published in DAO Vol. 48, No. 2 (2002) on March 11
Print ISSN: 0177-5103; Online ISSN: 1616-1580. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2002