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Common Name: Microsporidian
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification: Heterosporis sp. is a parasite that occurs within the skeletal muscle cells of fish, where it creates thick sporophorocysts in which spores develop. Either 8 or 16 spores grow inside vesicles found inside the sporophorocysts. Macrospores contain an isofilar polar tube in three coils, while microspores exhibit the same apparatus with only one coil. Muscle tissue turns opaque and cloudy in affected fish, appearing granular and unappetizing for anglers (Lom et al. 2000; Sutherland et al. 2000; Lom 2002; Sutherland 2002; Sutherland et al. 2002; Sutherland et al. 2004).
Size: Sporophorocysts are up to 200 µm in diameter and spores are around 7-10 µm across (cf. Lom et al. 2000).
Native Range:
Unknown
Nonindigenous Occurrences: Heterosporis sp. was recorded for the first time from the northern Bay of Quinte and from eastern areas of Lake Ontario in 2000 (Sutherland 2002; Sutherland et al. 2004).
Ecology: At present, this species mainly infects yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Ontario and northern parts of the Mississippi watershed in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, prevalence of infection is approximately 5%, but reaches 15-30% in inland lakes in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Up to 80-90% of skeletal muscles in hosts can be infected. Hosts likely ingest spores directly from the water column or by scavenging carcasses of infected fish, although transovarial transmission might also be possible. There are no intermediate hosts known at present. Although cormorants have been proposed as a potential mechanical vector for spores, experiments show that this is unlikely (Quinnell et al. 2006). Spores can probably survive for one year or more at 4 degrees C in water (Sutherland 2002; Sutherland et al. 2004).
Means of Introduction: Unknown. However, the infection can spread by transportation in water in live wells, bait buckets, and the bilges of boats (Sutherland et al. 2000). Infection could spread via the movement of susceptible bait fish species between water bodies. The discard of infected aquarium fish is another potential vector (Lom et al. 1989; Lom et al. 1993).
Status: Established where recorded.
Impact of Introduction: A) Realised: Impacts on yellow perch populations can be severe, and economic impacts are significant as people must check for infection and discard infected fillets (Sutherland et al. 2004).
B) Potential: This particular species of Heterosporis has also been recorded from the greater Mississippi drainage (Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes) in walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), northern pike (Esox lucius), burbot (Lota lota), mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi), slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) (Sutherland 2002; Sutherland et al. 2004). In Europe and Asia, various other Heterosporis species have been recorded Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilus) and Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) and in several ornamental fishes, such as the Egyptian mouthbreeder cichlid Pseudocrelinabrus multicolor, bristlenose catfish Ancistrus cirrhosus, angelfish Pterophyllum scalare, and the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens (Michel et al.1989; Lom et al. 1989; Lom et al. 1993; Lom et al. 2000; Joh et al. 2007). This specific Heterosporis sp. has the potential to infect many fish species found in the Great Lakes with negative impacts for fisheries. Lab experiments indicate that the following species are highly susceptible to infection: common carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), lake trout (S. namaycush), brown trout (Salmo trutta), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). The following species are marginally susceptible to infection, experiencing much less muscle damage than the previous group if they are infected at all: bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), coho salmon (O. kisutch), and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni). Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) tested in the lab are not susceptible to infection (Sutherland 2002; Sutherland et al. 2004).
Remarks:
References
Joh, S.J., Y.K. Kwon, M.C. Kim, M.J. Kim, H.M. Kwon, J.W. Park, J.H. Kwon, J.H. Kim. 2007. Heterosporis anguillarum infections in farm cultured eels (Anguilla japonica) in Korea. Journal of Veterinary Science 8: 147-149.
Lom, J. 2002. A catalogue of described genera and species of microsporidians parasitic in fish. Systematic Parasitology 53: 81-99.
Lom, J. and F. Nilsen. 2003. Fish microsporidia: fine structural diversity and phylogeny. International Journal for Parasitology 33: 107-127.
Lom, J., I. Dykova, C. H. Wang, C. F. Lo, and G. H. Kou. 2000. Ultrastructural justification for the transfer of Pleistophora anguillarum Hoshina, 1959 to the genus Heterosporis Schubert, 1969. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 43: 225-231.
Lom, J., I. Dykova, K. Tonguthai, and S. Chinabut. 1993. Muscle infection due to Heterosporis sp. in the Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens Regan. Journal of Fish Diseases 16: 513-516.
Lom, J., I. Dykova, W. Koerting, and H. Klinger. 1989. Heterosporis schuberti new species of microsporidian parasite of aquarium fish. European Journal of Protistology 25: 129-135.
Michel, C., J. Maurand, C. Loubes, S. Chilmonczyk, and P. De Kinkelin. 1989. Heterosporis finki, a microsporidian parasite of the angel fish Pterophyllm scalare, pathology and ultrastructure. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 7: 103-110.
Quinnell, M. A. J., J. Parkman, D. Smith, S. Russell, D. Sutherland, and J. S. Lumsden. 2006. Cormorants as mechanical vectors of Heterosporis sp. American College fro Veterinary Pathologists Annual Meeting, December 2-6, 2006, Tucson, Arizona.
Sutherland, D. R. 2002. Heterosporis update, March 12, 2002. State of Michigan Document.
Sutherland, D., S. Cooper, P. Stelzig, S. Marcquenski, J. Marcino, J. Lom, I. Dykova, F. Nilsen, H.-M. Hsu, W. Jahns, J. Hoyle, and R. Penney. 2004. Heterosporis sp. (Microspora): a new parasite from yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Lake Ontario, North America. 13th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species, September 20 – 24, 2004, Ennis, County Clare, Ireland.
Sutherland, D., S. Marcquenski, J. Marcino, J. Lom, I. Dykova, H.-M. Hsu, W. Jahns, and F. Nilsen. 2000. Heterosporis sp. (Microspora: Glugeidae): a new parasite from Perca flavescens in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Proceedings of the 62nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, December 3-6, 2000, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Other Resources: GLIFWC-Maps
Author: Rebekah M. Kipp
Contributing Agencies: 
NOAA - GLERL
Revision Date: 7/25/2007 Citation for this information:
Rebekah M. Kipp. 2009. Heterosporis . USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=2661> Revision Date: 7/25/2007
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