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DAO 136:209-218 (2019)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03406

Characterization of microsporidian Ameson herrnkindi sp. nov. infecting Caribbean spiny lobsters Panulirus argus

H. J. Small1,*, G. D. Stentiford2, D. C. Behringer3,4, M. A. Freeman5, N. A. M. Atherley5,6, K. S. Reece1, K. S. Bateman2, J. D. Shields1

1Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, PO Box 1346, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA
2International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
3Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, 7922 NW 71 Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
4Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
5Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, West Indies
6Caribaea Initiative, Université des Antilles, Pointe-á-Pitre, Guadeloupe
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: The Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus supports a large and valuable fishery in the Caribbean Sea. In 2007-2008, a rare microsporidian parasite with spore characteristics typical of the Ameson genus was detected in 2 spiny lobsters from southeast Florida (FL). However, the parasite species was not confirmed by molecular analyses. To address this deficiency, reported here are structural and molecular data on single lobsters displaying comparable ‘cotton-like’ abdominal muscle containing ovoid microsporidian spores found at different locations in FL in 2014 and 2018 and in Saint Kitts and Nevis Islands in 2017. In the lobster from 2014, multiple life stages consistent with an Ameson-like monokaryotic microsporidian were detected by transmission electron microscopy. A partial (1228 bp) small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequence showed each microsporidia to be identical and positioned it closest phylogenetically to Ameson pulvis in a highly supported clade also containing A. michaelis, A. metacarcini, A. portunus, and Nadelspora canceri. Using ecological, pathological, ultrastructural, and molecular data, the P. argus microsporidian has been assigned to a distinct species: Ameson herrnkindi.


KEY WORDS: Crustacea · Disease · Microspora · Parasite


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Cite this article as: Small HJ, Stentiford GD, Behringer DC, Freeman MA and others (2019) Characterization of microsporidian Ameson herrnkindi sp. nov. infecting Caribbean spiny lobsters Panulirus argus. Dis Aquat Org 136:209-218. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03406

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