Observations on the host‐parasite relations of the Pacific whiting, <i>Merluccius productus</i> (Ayres), and two myxosporean parasites, <i>Kudoa thyrsitis</i> (Gilchrist, 1924) and <i>K. paniformis</i> Kabata &amp; Whitaker, 1981

Abstract

Abstract. Muscle samples from 178 Merluccius productus were examined for two myxosporean parasites, Kudoa thyrsitis and K, paniformis. Kudoa paniformis was found in 51% of the samples, while K. thyrsitis and mixed infections were observed in 7% and 17% of the samples respectively. An inflammatory response that resulted in an encapsulation around a completely replaced muscle fibre was observed in infections with either parasite. Presporogenic and sporogenic stages were common while stages that may represent early forms of the parasites were only rarely observed.