KIDNEY MYXOSPOREAN PARASITES IN RED DRUM SCIAENOPS-OCELLATUS (SCIAENIDAE) FROM FLORIDA, USA, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF PARVICAPSULA-RENALIS N-SP

Two species of myxosporean parasites were found in red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (L.) from Florida, USA. These species were located in the po sterior kidney and are confirmed as Henneguya ocellata Iversen & Yokel 1963 and Parvicapsula renalis n. sp. Intraluminal developmental stage s and mature spores of P. renalis n. sp. were observed. In front view, mature spores were elongate (9.5 X 3.55 to 4.7 mum), asymmetrical and slightly curved, with one valve slightly larger than the other. The p yriform polar capsules (3.0 x 2.0 mum) pointed in towards each other a nd were situated in a raised 'head' region that appeared to be separat ed from the spore cavity by a 'membrane'. The polar filaments had 5 to 8 evenly spaced coils.