Ribosomal RNA gene sequences confirm that protistan endoparasite of larval cod Gadus morhua is Ichthyodinium sp.

An enigmatic protistan endoparasite found in eggs and larvae of cod Gadus morhua and turbot Psetta maxima was isolated from Baltic cod larvae, and DNA was extracted for sequencing of the parasite's small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The endoparasite has previously been suggested to be related to Ichthyodinium chabelardi, a dinoflagellate-like protist that parasitizes yolk sacs of embryos and larvae of a variety of fish species. Comparison of a 1535 bp long fragment of the SSU rRNA gene of the cod endoparasite showed absolute identity with I. chabelardi, demonstrating that the 2 parasites are very closely related, if not identical. This finding is discussed in relation to some morphological differences that appear to exist between I. chabelardi and the cod endoparasite.