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Parasitology

Table of Contents - April 2010 - Volume 137, Issue 05  

Research Article

Four new species of KudoaMeglitsch, 1947 (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) from Australia with recommendations for species descriptions in the Kudoidae

M. A. A. BURGERa1a2 and R. D. ADLARDa1a2 c1

a1 School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia

a2 Biodiversity Program, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia

SUMMARY

Kudoid parasites are significant pathogens of marine fish. In the past, specific identification has been difficult due to a paucity of detailed morphological and biological information provided in the original description of some species. However, the introduction of DNA analysis has dramatically improved diagnosis. For morphological characterization, this paper proposes a new set of schematics including additional measurements to give a more thorough description of spore morphology, and provides evidence for uniqueness of 4 new species: Kudoa gunterae n. sp. (from 10 pomacentrid species and 1 apogonid species), K. kenti n. sp. (from 4 pomacentrid species), K. paraquadricornis n. sp. (from 4 carangid species), and K. whippsi n. sp. (from 8 pomacentrid species and 1 apogonid species). Subtle morphological differences found between closely related species were reflected in their genetics, with increased resolution provided by the large subunit, compared with that of the small subunit, of the ribosomal DNA gene region. This article proposes comprehensive requirements for species descriptions within the Kudoidae that incorporate biology, morphology, and genetic sequence.

(Received July 29 2009)

(Revised September 22 2009)

(Accepted September 23 2009)

(Online publication December 22 2009)

Key Words:

Correspondence:

c1 Corresponding author: Biodiversity Program, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia. Tel: +617 3840 7723. Fax: +617 3846 1226. E-mail: robert.adlard@qm.qld.gov.au

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