ZSCHOKKELLA MUGILIS N-SP (MYXOSPOREA, BIVALVULIDA) FROM MULLETS (TELEOSTEI, MUGILIDAE) OF MEDITERRANEAN WATERS - LIGHT AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION

A new Myxosporea, Zschokkella mugilis n. sp., was found in the gall bl adder of several mugilids. It is distinguished from all previously rep orted Zschekkella from mugilids by the absence of valve ornamentation and from other species by the size of the spores. Prevalence of infect ion was 62.5% for Mugil capito, 70% for M. cephalus and 64.3% for Liza saliens. Plasmodia with rhizoids attached to epithelial cells appeare d to compromise the host as evidenced in light and transmission electr on micrographs presented herein. General ultrastructure and disporous sporogenesis of Z. mugilis resembled other Myxosporeans, but sporogoni c cells did not seem to be formed in pansporoblasts.