Fine structure of the myxosporean, Henneguya curimata n. sp., parasite of the Amazonian fish, Curimata inormata (Teleostei, Curimatidae)

Henneguya curimata n. sp. (Myxozoa, Myxobolidae) is described from the kidney of the teleost Curimata inormata collected in an estuarine region of the Amazon River. near Belem. Brazil. This myxosporean produces large cysts (0.6-1.2 mm in diam.) that represent plasmodia containing all life cycle stages, including spores. The spore body is ellipsoidal (similar to 16.6 mum in length and similar to 6.2 mum in width), and each valve presents a tapering tail (similar to 19.1 mum in length). These valves surround the binucleate sporoplasm cell and two ellipsoidal polar capsules located side-by-side at the same level, measuring 6.5 X 1.2 mum each and containing 10-11 coils of the polar filament. On the basis of its host specificity and on data collected by light and electron microscopy, the organism, H, curimata n. sp. is distinguished as a new species. The taxonomic affinities and morphological comparisons with other similar species of the same genus are discussed.