Purpose: We describe two new species of Myxobolus (Myxobolidae) found parasitizing Mugil curema from two locations in Brazil: Myxobolus curemae n. sp. from gill arch and rays and Myxobolus maceioensis n. sp. from gill lamellae.
Methods: We based the descriptions on myxospore morphology, histology, and small-subunit ribosomal DNA sequences.
Results: Myxospores of the two new species had similar morphology and morphometry but differed in spore body width and length, and ssrDNA sequences differed by 10.5%. These data supported the diagnosis of the parasites as distinct and novel species. The phylogenetic analysis showed a subclade formed by species that parasitize Mugiliformes, with M. maceioensis n. sp. as a sister species of Myxobolus episquamalis and Myxobolus bizerti, while there is a group of six species that are sister related to M. curemae n. sp. Our analysis was consistent with previous studies suggesting that orders of the hosts are strongly correlated with phylogenetic signals in the Myxobolidae.
Conclusions: Myxobolus curemae n. sp. and M. maceioensis n. sp. are new species identified parasitizing M. curema.
Keywords: Atlantic ocean; Brazil; Histology; Myxosporea; Phylogeny.
© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences.