Fungalpedia - Note 11 Dasyatispora

Dasyatispora A. Diamant, M. Goren, M.B. Yokes, B.S. Galil, Y. Klopman, D. Huchon, A. Szitenberg & S.Ü. Karhan

Citation if using this entry: Fahalli et al. (2023) New genera in 2010-2011. Mycosphere (in press)

Index Fungorum Identifier 92221, Facesoffungi, MycoBank, GenBank, Fig 1.
The monotypic genus Dasyatispora (Microsporidia, Protozoa) was introduced by Diamant et al. (2010). Dasyatispora levantinae, the type species of the genus was isolated from the Mediterranean common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca in Iskenderun Bay, Turkey. Disc muscle invasion by the parasite results in thin, spindle-shaped subcutaneous swellings that grow into large, elongated, tumor-like protuberances. These masses contained a yellowish-white caseous material made up of damaged host tissue and microsporidian sporophorous vesicles, which in turn contained sporonts, sporoblasts, and spores. The mature spore has a large posterior vacuole and a uni-nucleate sporoplasm. Sporophorous vesicles are slightly flattened spheres, measuring approximately 30 μm. Spores had an outer smooth surface and an oval form that was slightly longer.

Fig 1 –. Dasyatispora levantinae (Photo credits: Prof. Ariel Diamant, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Eilat, Israel). a Early sporoblasts (black arrow), and Multinucleate meron (white arro). b-c Mature spores in SPV. d Spore; es = endospore; ex = exospore. Scale bars: a=10 μm, b=50 μm, C-d=2 μm.

According to phylogenetic analysis of SSU rRNA, ITS, and LSU rRNA, Dasyatispora belongs to the Pleistophoridae, and groups with species of Ovipleistophora (Ovipleistophora mirandellae) and Heterosporis (Heterosporis finki). However, the morphological characters, development, and host specificity raised this clade to a generic status and it differs distinctly from all reported genera including those belonging to Ovipleistophora and Heterosporis (Diamant et al. 2010).

Type species: Dasyatispora levantinae A. Diamant, M. Goren, M.B. Yokes, B.S. Galil, Y. Klopman, D. Huchon, A. Szitenberg & S.Ü. Karhan

Reference

Diamant A, Goren M, Yokeş MB, Galil BS, Klopman Y, Huchon D, Szitenberg A, Karhan, SÜ. 2010- Dasyatispora levantinae gen. et sp. nov., a new microsporidian parasite from the common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca in the eastern Mediterranean. Diseases of Aquatic organisms 91, 137-150. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02256

Entry by

Maryam Fallahi, Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand.

(Edited by Kevin D Hyde)

Published online 24 April 2023