238 
A Myxosporidian 
THE RELATION BETWEEN THE HOST AND THE MYXOSPORIDIAN. 
L. ohlmacheri has been observed in the following three North American 
batrachian host species: B. lentiginosus (Illinois, after Ohlmacher and Whinery), 
R. clamitans (New York, after Kudo) and R. pipiens (locality unknown, 
after Kudo). 
As was mentioned on p. 121, Thelohan gave no description of his L. ranae 
which would permit of two species of Leptotheca similar in habitat being 
differentiated. L . ranae is probably identical with L. ohlmacheri because 
some species of Ranidae such as R. temporaria and R. agilis, occur both in 
America and Europe. Ohlmacher kept his infected toad with two dozen 
frogs 1 , which he did not examine. In my opinion these frogs were also 
infected by the Myxosporidian, and acted as a source of infection for 
Bujo lentiginosus. I further think that if examination of various species of 
frogs from different localities is carried out, the Protozoon may be found to 
be far less specific and more cosmopolitan. 
Fourteen specimens of R. clamitans were examined from July 31 to 
September 5, 1920. They measured from 3 to 10 cm. in length. Of these, 
eight were males and six females. The examination showed that three males 
and three females were infected. Twenty-four specimens of R. pipiens were 
examined between November 12 and December 6, 1920. They measured from 
8 to 10 cm. long. Of these fifteen were males and the .remaining nine females. 
The examination showed that seven males and three females were infected. 
The percentage of infection in the two host species R. clamitans and R. pipiens 
are 43 and 42 respectively. 
Although R. pipiens were almost of similar size, a great variation in the 
size of R. clamitans was noticed. One individual, which was only 3 cm. 
long, had both its kidneys heavily infected, young as well as sporulating 
trophozoites being present in large numbers. On the other hand, three indi¬ 
viduals, 10 cm. in length, were found to be free from the infection. The 
infected animals varied from 5 to 9 cm. in length. This probably indicates 
that the infection occurs at any stage of the development of the host. 
Further, the infection was recognized only in five specimens collected from 
a short stretch of creek “a” between August 3 and 17. The other individual 
mentioned above was obtained on August 25 from creek “b ' where two other 
uninfected larger specimens were also collected. 
Concerning the effect of the infection upon the host animal, I have not 
seen any serious pathological change which might cause the death of the host. 
As to the possible effect of the parasites upon the toad, Ohlmacher made 
the following statement: 
As to the pathogenic role of the Myxosporidia in this case, there can scarcely be a doubt 
but that they were the direct factors in the production of the pathological changes leading 
to the death of the host. In fact, the tubules of both kidneys were filled with the parasites; 
1 No specific name is given. 
