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- Title
Descriptions of <italic>Mikrocytos veneroïdes</italic> n. sp. and <italic>Mikrocytos donaxi</italic> n. sp. (Ascetosporea: Mikrocytida: Mikrocytiidae), detected during important mortality events of the wedge clam <italic>Donax trunculus</italic> Linnaeus (Veneroida: Donacidae), in France between 2008 and 2011
- Authors
Garcia, Céline; Haond, Christophe; Chollet, Bruno; Nerac, Mirella; Omnes, Emmanuelle; Joly, Jean-Pierre; Dubreuil, Christine; Serpin, Delphine; Langlade, Aimé; Le Gal, Dominique; Terre-Terrillon, Aouregan; Courtois, Olivier; Guichard, Benjamin; Arzul, Isabelle
- Abstract
Background: Microcell parasites are small intracellular protozoans mostly detected in molluscs and can be associated with mortalities. In 2010 and 2011, strong increases in mortality events were reported in different wild beds of the wedge clam <italic>Donax trunculus</italic> Linnaeus, along the Atlantic coast of France and the presence of potential pathogens, including microcells, was investigated. Methods: Clams collected in different beds showing mortality were examined by histology. Based on histological observations, confirmatory analyses were carried out, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular characterization. Results: Histological analyses revealed the presence of small protozoans similar to microcell parasites in different tissues of <italic>Donax trunculus</italic>, particularly in muscular and connective tissues. TEM examination confirmed the intracellular localization of the protozoans. Moreover, the lack of haplosporosomes and mitochondria suggested that the observed parasites belong to the genus <italic>Mikrocytos</italic> Farley, Wolf & Elston, 1988. <italic>Mikrocytos</italic> genus-specific PCR and in situ hybridization results supported the microscopic observations. Sequence fragments of the <italic>18S</italic> rRNA gene shared 75–83% identity with the different <italic>Mikrocytos</italic> spp. described previously, including <italic>Mikrocytos mackini</italic> Farley, Wolf & Elston, 1988 and <italic>M. boweri</italic> Abbott, Meyer, Lowe, Kim & Johnson, 2014. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the microcell parasites observed in <italic>Donax trunculus</italic> in France belong to the genus <italic>Mikrocytos</italic> and suggest the existence of two distinct species. Conclusions: Based on morphological, ultrastructural, molecular data and host information, the two microcell parasites detected in <italic>Donax trunculus</italic> belong to the genus <italic>Mikrocytos</italic> and are distinct from previously described members of this genus. This is the first report of <italic>Mikrocytos</italic> spp. found in France and infecting the clam <italic>Donax trunculus</italic>. <italic>Mikrocytos veneroïdes</italic> n. sp. was detected in different wild beds and <italic>Mikrocytos donaxi</italic> n. sp. was detected only in Audierne Bay.
- Subjects
DONAX (Bivalves); MOLLUSK mortality; CONFIRMATORY factor analysis; TRANSMISSION electron microscopy; MOLLUSK classification
- Publication
Parasites & Vectors, 2018, Vol 11, p1
- ISSN
1756-3305
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s13071-018-2692-0