Multilamina teevani gen. et sp. nov., a microsporidian pathogen of the neotropical termite Uncitermes teevani

- Multilamina teevani gen. et sp. nov., is described from Uncitermes teevani.
- Uninucleate spores are contained within a multi-layered sporophorous vesicle.
- M. teevani exhibited 85% identity with a Varimorpha sp. from Solenopsis richteri.

A new genus and species of microsporidia is described from adults of the termite Uncitermes teevani (Emerson) (n. comb., formerly Armitermes teevani), collected in Ecuador. Masses of elongate, ovoid, uninucleate spores were localized to the coelomic cavity of adult workers and measured 6.29 × 3.33 μm (fresh) and 5.83 × 3.00 μm (fixed). These spores were individually contained within a multi-layered sporophorous vesicle and contained an isofilar polar filament with 24-28 coils. Blast-n analysis revealed that the small subunit ribosomal DNA (ssrDNA) sequence of this new species exhibited 85% identity with that of a Varimorpha species from the fire ant, Solenopsis richteri, and slightly less (78-85% identity) to a large clade of microsporidian parasites from mosquitoes and microcrustacea. The morphological and sequence data support the conclusion that Multilamina teevani gen. et sp. nov. is a novel microsporidium and distinct from any previously described genera or species.