| Sphaerothecum destruens | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Class: | Ichthyosporea |
| Order: | Dermocystida |
| Family: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | Sphaerothecum |
| Species: | S. destruens |
| Binomial name | |
| Sphaerothecum destruens Arkushet al., 2003 | |
Sphaerothecum destruens (therosette agent) is aparasite of fish.[1][2] It was first discovered in theUnited States in association withinvasive species includingtopmouth gudgeon, but was found to be the causative agent of a disease in the UK affectingsalmonid species such asAtlantic salmon andbrown trout. It is thought to pose more of a risk inEurope than in the US, as native species there are more susceptible to the parasite. The disease causes high rates ofmorbidity andmortality in a number of different salmonid species and can also infect other UK freshwater fish such asbream,carp, androach.[3] The genusSphaerothecum is closely related to the generaDermocystidium andRhinosporidium.[2]
