EPITHELIOCYSTIS-DISEASE IN CULTURED YELLOWTAIL SERIOLA-MAZATLANA IN ECUADOR

Epitheliocystis, a disease of the gill and skin epithelial cells, is r eported in the early developmental stages of Pacific yellowtail Seriol a mazatlana, a new marine finfish species for aquaculture in Ecuador. Behavior, appearance of infected larvae and clinical signs of infectio n are described. Light microscopic and histological examinations confi rm the presence of intracellular organisms in the gills, skin, nostril and buccal cavity. Proliferative cell response resulted in the gradua l destruction of the functional integrity of the gills, causing massiv e mortalities.