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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #302245
Title: Myxobolus neurophilus: a common myxosporidian parasite infecting yellow perch Perca flavacens (Mitchell) in Saskatchewan, Canada

Author
item SCOTT, STEVEN - University Of Saskatchewan
item GRIFFIN, MATT - Mississippi State University
item Quiniou, Sylvie
item KHOO, LESTER - Mississippi State University
item BOLLINGER, TRENT - University Of Saskatchewan

Submitted to: Journal of Fish Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/2014
Publication Date: 4/1/2015
Citation: Scott, S.J., Griffin, M.J., Quiniou, S., Khoo, L., Bollinger, T.K. 2015. Myxobolus neurophilus: a common myxosporidian parasite infecting yellow perch Perca flavacens (Mitchell) in Saskatchewan, Canada. Journal of Fish Diseases. 38(4):355-364.

Interpretive Summary: In 2011 a large die-off of yellow perch occurred in Buffalo Pound Lake, Saskatchewan. Histopathologic examination revealed the presence of parasites throughout the spinal cord and brain. Using molecular biology diagnostic tools, this study confirmed that the parasite was Myxobolus neurophilus. Sampling of other lakes in different drainage basin also revealed the presence of this parasite thus extending the known geographic range for that parasite to the Canadian prairies.

Technical Abstract: The goal of this study was to identify a myxosporidian parasite infecting the central nervous system of yellow perch Perca flavacens (Mitchell) observed while investigating a fish kill in Saskatchewan, Canada. Fish were collected from seven different lakes, from 2 distinct watersheds. Sixty-four percent (54/86) of yellow perch contained myxozoan pseudocysts located throughout the spinal cord and brain. Myxospores measured 16.5 µm (range 16.2-16.8) long and 8.2 µm (range 7.9-8.4) wide and contained two pyriform, mildly dissymmetrical, polar capsules measuring 7.7 µm (range 7.3-8.1) long and 2.7 µm (range 2.4-3.0) wide. The polar capsules each contained a single polar filament, with 7-9 turns per polar filament coil. Sequencing of the 18S SSU rDNA gene demonstrated >99% similarity to Myxobolus neurophilus. In 60% of infected fish there was a mild to moderate, non-suppurative myelitis or encephalitis, or both, associated with myxospores. Axonal degeneration was present in rare cases. These findings extend the geographic distribution of M. neurophilus, and suggest it may be widespread in yellow perch populations in Saskatchewan.