n. sp., an Intranuclear Microsporidian Infecting the Seahorse From China.

The life cycle, ultrastructure, and molecular phylogeny of a new intranuclear microsporidian, n. sp., infecting the intestine of the , were described. The histopathology revealed an extensive infection, mainly in the columnar epithelium of the intestinal mucosa layer. The enterocytes were the important target cell for n. sp. infection. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that this microsporidian developed directly within the host cell nucleoplasm. In the intranuclear life cycle, the transformation from meront to sporogonial plasmodium was recognized by forming electron-dense disc structures, which were considered the polar tube precursors. The microsporidian showed the typical morphological characteristics of the family Enterocytozoonidae in the formation and development of spore organelles prior to the division of the sporogonial plasmodium. According to wet smear observation, eight spores were generally formed in a single host nucleus. Mature spores were elongated ovoids that were slightly bent and measured 1.93 × 0.97 μm. The isofilar polar tube was arranged in 7~8 coils in one row. Phylogenetic analysis of its small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences demonstrated that the parasite belonged to the group clade. The histological, ultrastructural, and molecular data support the emergence of a new species in the genus . This is the first report of species in Asia and threatened syngnathid fishes.