Alexander Reyes Leyva

Kudoa peruvianus, ichthyoparasite in hake Merluccius gayi peruanus Alexander Reyes Leyva

Myxosporidia of the genus Kudoa infect the muscle tissue of marine fish and cause injuries such as muscle softening (milkiness). The re-description of Kudoa peruvianusin the muscle tissue of the "hake" Merluccius gayi peruanus, are extremely relevant, due to its commercial importance in Peru. 20 specimens were collected from the fishing terminal in the region of Tumbes in the cove of Puerto Pizarro, in January 2019. The spores were isolated from specimens with milkiness for their identification. The spores have rounded edges and four symmetrical ovoid polar capsules that converge at the apex of the spore, in lateral view they have a pyriform shape with a wide base, blunt edges and a pronounced apex, sporoplasma without granulations and no ornamentation. A bibliographic comparison of the morphometry and morphology of spores that infect hosts of the Merluccidae family was made, in which it was determined that K. peruvianus, presents unique characteristics and does not co-infect with other species in the various tissues.