Myxobolus porofilus sp. n. is described infecting the visceral cavity of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) cultivated in São Paulo State, Brazil. The plasmodial form of the parasite is 3-5 mm in length and appeared compressed between the wall of the visceral cavity and the pyloric caecum, reposing on this organ. The spores are small (length 5.7 ± 0.3 µm, width 4.8 ± 0.2 µm; mean ± SD) and round to elliptical in frontal view. The valve surfaces are smooth and have sutural folds. The polar capsules are ovoid, small (length 1.6 ± 0.1 µm, width 1.1 ± 0.1 µm) and equal in size. The polar filaments have three turns aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. A conspicuous polar filament pore is arranged at the anterior end of the spore. The only reaction observed upon histological analysis was the presence of a capsule of connective tissue surrounding the plasmodia. This is the first report of a myxosporean parasite in the Prochilodontidae.
The chlorophyll fluorescence Fo, excited by polsed ultra-weak blue radiatíon, and thermoluminescence (TL) were recorded in ďie same sample. Temperature-dependent variations of the fluorescence yield influenced ťhe TL emission.