1Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, China
2Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for Freshwater Aquaculture, Wuhan-430070, China
Institute of Hydroecology, Ministry of Water Resources & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan-430079, China
*Corresponding author. e-mail: wangchong@mail.ihe.ac.cn
Online published on 18 December, 2018.
This paper gave detailed description of the fine structure of Apiosoma piscicola Blanchard 1885 occurring on fry of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco during parasite surveys of fish at Jiangxia Fish Hatchery in Wuhan, Hubei province in May 2011. Its pellicle, peristomial apparatus, nuclei, transverse ciliary band and scopula were described respectively. The relationship between these peritrich ciliates and their hosts are well discussed herein. The scopula of A. piscicola did not adhere directly to the surface of the host epithelial cells, but by means of a secreted adhesive pad of material. Besides, no ultrastructural damage to host epithelial cells could be detected. It is concluded that these sessilids are ectocommensals rather than ectoparasites and are not always harmless. In addition, their great variability and non-strict host specificity is also discussed.
Ultrastructure, Apiosoma, Ectocommensal, Ectoparasite
