Observations on non-randomly distribution of spores of Henneguya spp. (Cnidaria, Myxosporea, Myxobolidae) within plasmodia

Abstract

Species of the cnidarian genus Henneguya Thelohan, 1892 (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) are histozoic parasites commonly found in freshwater and, more rarely, in marine fish. The development of these parasites in fish tissues includes the formation of plasmodia within which occurs the sporogony originating spores with two caudal processes, which are usually randomly distributed within the plasmodia. In this report the authors present some cases of non-random distribution of the spores of six species of Henneguya within their plasmodia. Two different patterns of non-random distribution were found based on a literature survey. These patterns and their origin are discussed. Apparently this non-random distribution of the spores is due to both internal and external factors.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE - Operational Competitiveness Programmenational funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and TechnologyCNPqGINOPUniv Porto, Fac Ciencias, Dept Biol, Rua Campo Alegre,Edificio FC4, P-4169007 Oporto, PortugalCIMAR, CIIMAR, Ctr Interdisciplinar Invest Marinha & Ambiental, Matosinhos, PortugalInst Super Engn Porto, Lab Engn Matemat LEMA, Oporto, Portugal|Univ Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Anim, Campinas, SP, BrazilCtr Agr Res, Inst Vet Med Res, Budapest, HungaryHungarian Acad Sci MTA, Budapest, HungaryUniv Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, Diadema, SP, BrazilEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE - Operational Competitiveness Programmenational funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology: PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2013CNPq: 305630/2013-0GINOP: 2.3.3-15-2016-00004Web of Scienc