Light- and electron-microscope description of Kudoa paralichthys n. sp (Myxozoa, Myxosporea) from the brain of cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in Korea

A new Myxosporea, Kudoa paralichthys n. sp., is described from the brain of cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in South Korea. Mature spores were quadrate in apical view, measuring 5.19 +/- 0.54 mum in length, 8.23 +/- 0.50 mum in width, and 6.87 +/- 0.45 mum in thickness. Four valves were equal in size, each with 1 polar capsule. Polar capsules were pyriform in shape, measuring 2.2 +/- 0.22 mum in length and 1.2 +/- 0.14 mum in breadth. The sporoplasm consisted of a larger outer cell completely surrounding a smaller inner one, and had cytoplasmic projections. The junctions of shell valves were L-shaped. The sutural planes converged at the anterior ends of the spores and were associated with 4 small apex prominences in the central meeting point of the spores.