Multivalvulidan myxosporeans from marine fishes in Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam, with descriptions of Kudoa igori n. sp. and Kudoa borimiri n. sp. from mullets

In March and April 2018, we carried out a survey of myxosporean parasites in coastal fishes collected from Nha Trang Bay in Vietnam's East Sea. Of the 159 fish specimens, 18 fish species were represented, belonging to 10 families. In 8 host species, 7 myxosporean species were found, representing the genera Kudoa and Unicapsula. Two of these species were new to science: Kudoa igori n. sp. from the gallbladder of Longarm mullet Osteomugil cunnesius (Valenciennes, 1836) (prevalence 10%) and Kudoa borimiri n. sp. from skeletal muscles of Longarm mullet and Longfinned mullet Osteomugil perusii (Valenciennes, 1836) (prevalence 30% and 60%, respectively). Vegetative stages were not found. Spores of K. igori n. sp. were small, orbicular to quadrate in apical view, and with four equal valves. In lateral view, spores were shallowly ovoid with a slightly protruding anterior pole. The 4 polar capsules were slightly unequal sizes and were oriented toward the apex of the spore. Dimensions were as follows: spore length 4.56 +/- 0.22 (4.18-4.56), thickness 4.42 +/- 0.39 (3.55-5.13), width 5.74 +/- 0.46 (4.66-6.50), length of biggest polar capsule 1.38 +/- 0.14 (1.1-1.65), middle 1.28 +/- 0.12 (1.03-1.53), smallest 1.13 +/- 0.11 (0.94-1.30), width of biggest polar capsule 1.03 +/- 0.14 (0.83-1.4), middle 0.92 +/- 0.12 (0.76-1.08), smallest 0.74 +/- 0.12 (0.55-0.94). Spores of K. borimiri n. sp. had four equal valves with slightly rounded ends and were quadrate in apical view. In lateral view, spores were broadly deltoid. Four equal-sized polar capsules opened at the apex of the spore. In O. cunnesius, spore dimensions were as follows: length 3.51 +/- 0.15 (3.34-3.92), thickness 3.65 +/- 0.38 (2.79-4.21), width 4.97 +/- 0.37 (4.13-5.97), length of the polar capsules 1.23 +/- 0.18 (0.99-1.57), width 0.88 +/- 0.07 (0.70-1.00). Overlapping dimensions for K. borimiri n. sp. spores were also found in O. perusii. Other known myxozoan species we encountered were Kudoa thyrsites and Kudoa whippsi, which had not previously been reported from the East Sea and Vietnam. We also encountered Kudoa monodactyli, which had not previously been reported from Nha Trang Bay. In addition, we report 2 additional species, a Kudoa sp. and a Unicapsula sp., that were not attributable to previously described myxozoans and need further investigation to completely characterize.

Automated summary

This study conducted a survey of myxosporean parasites in coastal fishes from Nha Trang Bay in Vietnam's East Sea. Seven myxosporean species were found, including two new species. The spore morphology of the newly discovered species differed from previously described myxosporeans. In addition, two unknown species were encountered, requiring further investigation for complete characterization.