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Microsporidium novacastriensis n. sp., a Microsporidian Parasite of the Grey Field Slug, Deroceras reticulatum 1 , 2
Author(s) -
JONES ANDREW A.,
SELMAN BRIAN J.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1985.tb03081.x
Subject(s) - microsporidia , microspora , biology , slug , spore , parasite hosting , microsporidiosis , zoology , protozoa , botany , ecology , pollen , microspore , world wide web , computer science , stamen
A new species of microsporidium (phylum Microspora), Microsporidium novacastriensis n. sp., from the grey field slug, Deroceras reticulatum , is described on the basis of light and electron microscope studies. Meronts are spherical at first, then become irregular as nuclear number increases. Sporonts are tubular or ribbon‐like and divide unevenly to produce sporoblasts and then spores of varying lengths. Sporogonial stages are enclosed in a vesicle by a subpersistent membrane of uncertain origin. Fresh spores measure 3.5 by 2.08 μm and are produced in clusters of 12 to 120. The parasite infects only the intestinal epithelium of the slug. The new species is compared to microsporidia of other gastropod molluscs and to other microsporidia of similar developmental pattern and morphology.