Work

First Record of Urceolaria carmenae n. sp. (Ciliophora, Peritrichia, Mobilida) Infesting the Gills of Octopus bimaculatus Verrill from the Gulf of California, Mexico

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Ciliate infestations in aquatic organisms are commonly associated with aquaculture, yet their impact on natural ecosystems remains largely understudied. This study describes a mobilid peritrich species infesting the gills of Octopus bimaculatus from the Gulf of California, Mexico. All 76 examined hosts (100%) exhibited infestation, with a mean intensity of 687 ± 228 (279–1077) urceolariid cells per gill. The ciliate cells displayed morphological traits consistent with those of the genus Urceolaria: turban-shaped cells measuring 44.2 ± 13.2 (31.3–88.6) µm in diameter; an adhesive disc of 36.5 ± 10.7 (29.2–74.6) μm in diameter; 18–19 plates measuring 11.0 ± 0.86 (9–12) µm in length; and 166–169 radial pins. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences placed this species within the genus Urceolaria, a sister group to Urceolaria urechi and Urceolaria serpularum, with a genetic distance of 1.0% with respect to the previously described species. Combined morphological and molecular data support the description of a new species, Urceolaria carmenae n. sp. This is the first record of a mobilid peritrich in cephalopod mollusks, thereby enhancing our understanding of the diversity of ciliates among marine invertebrates in their natural habitats.

Source: Fishes

DOI: 10.3390/fishes10110553

Authors: Graciela Esmeralda Colunga-Ramírez, Sheila Castellanos-Martínez

Institutions: Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Protist diversity and phylogeny

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137