Light and Electron Microscope Observations On Presporogonic and Sporogonic Stages of <i>Sphaerospora Epinepheli</i> (Myxosporea) In Grouper (<i>Epinephelus Malabaricus</i>)

Abstract

Presporogonic (blood) stages of Sphaerospora epinepheli Supamattaya, Fischer-Scherl, Hoffmann, Boonyaratpalin, 1990 were observed in the circulating blood, sinus of kidney, glomerurar capillaries and liver arteries of grouper Epinephelus malabaricus. The earliest detectable stage was a primary cell with one secondary cell. After cell divisions, nine to 16 secondary cells were found in one primary cell. Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense bodies (118-145 nm) in the cytoplasm of primary cells. Sporogonic stages and spores were located in Bowman's space and in kidney tubule lumens. Electron micrographs revealed a similar pattern of spore development as described from other Sphaerospora spp. Kidneys infected with S. epinepheli showed highly vacuolated tubular epithelial cells and severely affected renal corpuscles.