Some Myxosporidia found in certain freshwater fishes water fishes in Quebec province, Canada

Abstract

The Province of Quebec provides a magnificent field for fresh-water faunistic and ecological research on account of its numerous rivers and lakes. Investigations in ecology and ecological parasitology by the authors have revealed a rich fauna in the areas described herein.Examinations of fourteen species of fresh-water fish have produced twenty-eight species of Myxosporidia, of which twenty-five are new and three have been already described. The existence of races or strains or varieties of some of the forms is demonstrated.Descriptions and illustrations are given of twenty-eight Myxosporidia found by the authors in fresh-water fishes of Quebec Province. The new species include: Sphaerospora notropis, Myxidium percae, Zschokkella salvelini, Myxosoma notropis, M. commersonii, M. orbitalis, M. pfrille, M. media, M. ellipticoides, M. parellipticoides, Myxobolus poecilichthidis, M. dentium, M. percae, M. rhinichthidis, M. notropis, M. catostomi, M. couesii, M. hybo-rhynchi, M. subcircularis, M. transversalis, M. grandis, Henneguya fontinalis, H. fontinalis var. notropis, H. percae, H. salmonis and H. esocis. Myxosoma catostomi Kudo, Myxobolus conspicuus Kudo and M. ovoidalis Fantham are described from Canadian fishes. Details are given of a series of races, strains or varieties of Thelohanellus notatus Mavor, of Myxobolus catostomi, of M. notropis and of Henneguya fontinalis from other than the original host fish.The pathology of the myxosporidian infections from the many different situations in the hosts is discussed. Unusual sites of infection are the palatine teeth of Esox maskinongy with Myxobolus dentium and the iris of the eye of Couesius plumbeus with Myxobolus couesii.In connexion with the economic importance of the Myxosporidia found in Quebec fishes, the destruction of young fish, alteration of the character of the fauna dependent on the same, human food supply, possible epizootics in hatcheries and possible cross-infection of game fishes and other fishes of economic importance are considered. The immediate danger is not great; it is the future that may be imperilled.