A synopsis of 131 nominal species of Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) reported from India is presented. For each species, the relevant morphometric and morphological data are indicated, as well as the host(s), site(s) of infection within the host and locality data. A revised dichotomous key of 59 genera of the class Myxosporea has also been included. This key incorporates 10 additional genera to that proposed in 1991 by Lom & Dyková.
A survey of parasites of freshwater fishes in Harike and Ropar Wetlands of Punjab (India) revealed the presence of two new myxosporean species belonging to the genus Myxobolus Butschli 1882. Spores of the first species, M. duodenalis sp. nov. parasitize the inner wall of the duodenum of Wallago attu (Bloch and Schneider) (Cypriniformis: Cyprinidae) vern. mulli are characterized by a broad, pyriform shape with a blunt anterior end and measures 9.0 × 3.20 μm. Spore valves are thin, smooth, and symmetrical with no parietal folds. There are two polar capsules, prominently unequal and pyriform in shape, with a narrow anterior end and a rounded posterior end. The larger polar capsule measures 4.70 × 1.76 μm and the smaller 2.76 × 1.06 μm. The larger polar capsule occupies more than half, while the smaller one occupies one third of the spore body cavity. An intercapsular process is absent. Spores of the second species, Myxobolus patialensis sp. nov. parasitize the caudal fin of Labeo rohita (Ham. 1822) (Cypriniformis: Cyprinidae) vern. rohu are pyriform in valvular view, measuring 11.28 × 6.67 μm. The two shell valves are asymmetrical and contain five parietal folds along the posterior end of the spore. Two anteriorly situated polar capsules, elongated and oval in shape are prominently unequal in size. The larger polar capsule measures 4.8 × 3.1 μm and smaller one 1.70 × 1.51 μm. The larger polar capsule lies obliquely to the spore axis and the smaller one is at the same level but pointing outward anteriolaterally. An intercapsular process is absent. This species is characterized by having a prominent ridge on the shell surface anteriolaterally on the side of the smaller polar capsule.
Myxosporidian parasites of fish are very important as they cause severe damage to a large number of commercially important fishes. During our study of Myxozoan parasite of fishes of Punjab wetlands, India, a new myxosporean species, Myxobolus slendrii sp. nov., was recorded from mucous membrane around gill lamellae and one already known species Myxobolus punjabensis from caudal fins of Cirrhina mrigala has been described. Spores of M. slendrii sp. nov. are pyriform, highly elongated, and much slender in shape with a pointed anterior end and a rounded posterior end. The shell valves appear thicker at the posterior end of the spore than the rest on the spore body. Two polar capsules are placed posteriorly from the tip of the spore running parallel to each other. They are equal, pyriform, and highly elongated, equally containing six to eight coils of polar filament. Intercapsular process and iodinophilous vacuole are absent.
A survey of parasites of freshwater fishes in Harike, Kanjali and Ropar wetland of Punjab (India) revealed the presence of two new and two already known myxosporean species belonging to the genus Thelohanellus Kudo, 1933 parasitizing fins and gills respectively. Spores of the first species, T. kalavatae n. sp. measure 11.5 9 4.9 lm, elongately oval in valvular view having rounded blunt anterior end and rounded posterior end with lateral walls almost parallel to each other. Polar capsule is globular in shape and measure 5.2 9 3.3 lm in size. Anterior end of the polar capsule terminate into a small distinct neck. Spores of the second species, T. kalbensi n. sp. measure 9.5 9 4.9 lm, egg shaped to ovoid in valvular view having narrower anterior end with a prominent pore and broad rounded posterior end. Polar capsule is globular in shape with a short distinct tubular neck, measure 4.8 9 3.16 lm and occupies almost two-third of the spore body cavity. Spores of third species, T. avijiti Basu and Haldar, 2003 measure 10.1 9 6.6 lm, egg shaped in valvular having tapering, bluntly pointed anterior end and broad rounded posterior end. Polar capsule is rounded to subspherical in shape, measure 3.3 9 3.0 lm and is situated anteriorly. Spores of fourth species, T. gangeticus Tripathi, 1952 measure 13.3 9 4.8 lm, elongately pyriform in valvular view having tapering anterior end and rounded posterior end. Polar capsule is also elongately pyriform in shape measure 6.6 9 3.1 lm with thin neck and occupy half of the spore body cavity.
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