Biological characteristics of some actinosporeans

Abstract

The viability of synactinomyxon type 1, echinactinomyxon type 1, raabeia type 4, aurantiactinomyxon type 1 and neoactinomyxum type spores had a negative correlation with increasing temperature. In general, the spores remained viable for 6-7 days at 4degreesC, 4-5 days at 13degreesC and 4 days at 22degreesC. Polar filaments of echinactinomyxon type 1, raabeia type 4 and aurantiactinomyxon type I spores discharged in response to mucus from Atlantic salmon, brown trout, three-spined stickleback and common carp. However, the number of spores reacting to mucus varied between fish and parasite species. In each case the majority of discharges occurred within the first 5 min of exposure to mucus although there were further discharges up to 1 h. The length of the caudal processes of the actinosporean types studied was affected substantially by season and temperature, while the dimensions of the spore body and polar capsules showed little changes.