It is assumed that complex life cycles in cnidarian parasites belonging to the Myxozoa result from incorporation of vertebrates into simple life cycles exploiting aquatic invertebrates. However, nothing is known about the driving forces and implementation of this event, though it fostered massive diversification. We performed a comprehensive search for myxozoans in evolutionary ancient fishes (Chondrichthyes), and more than doubled existing 18S rDNA sequence data, discovering seven independent phylogenetic lineages. We performed cophylogenetic and character mapping methods in the largest monophyletic dataset and demonstrate that host and parasite phylogenies are strongly correlated, and that tectonic changes may explain phylogeographic clustering in recent skates and softnose skates, in the Atlantic. The most basal lineages of myxozoans inhabit the bile of chondrichthyans, an immunologically privileged site and protective niche, easily accessible from the gut via the bile duct. We hypothesize that feed-integration is a likely mechanism of host acquisition, an idea supported by feeding habits of chimaeras and ancient sharks and by multiple entries of different parasite lineages from invertebrates into the new host group. We provide exciting first insights into the early evolutionary history of ancient metazoan parasites in a host group that embodies more evolutionary distinctiveness than most other vertebrates.

• Klíčová slova
• Chondrichthyes, cnidaria, co-diversification, co-phylogeny, feed-integration, migration, myxozoa, phylogeography,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

During a survey on the myxosporean fauna of Rajiformes from the Atlantic coast of Argentina, in waters off Buenos Aires Province (34°-42°S; 53°-62°W), the gall bladders of 217 specimens belonging to seven species of skates, representatives of two families, were examined. As a result, three species of Chloromyxum Mingazzini, 1890, namely C. atlantoraji n. sp., C. zearaji n. sp. and C. riorajum Azevedo, Casal, Garcia, Matos, Teles-Grilo and Matos, 2009 were found infecting three endemic host species, the spotback skate Atlantoraja castelnaui (Arhynchobatidae), the yellownose skate Zearaja chilensis (Rajidae) and the Rio skate Rioraja agassizii (Arhynchobatidae), respectively. These species were described based on myxospore morphology and morphometry characterization, as well as by providing their small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences. The SSU rDNA-based phylogenetic analyses showed that these three species constituted a well-established monophyletic subclade within the marine Chloromyxum clade, while branches subtending the other Chloromyxum species were poorly resolved or unresolved, independently of the host taxonomic identities (Carchariniformes, Myliobatiformes, Orectolobiformes, Pristiophoriformes, Rajiformes, Squaliformes and Torpediniformes) and/or host geographic distribution (Atlantic coast of Portugal, Atlantic coast of the USA, Australian waters or Mediterranean Sea). The possible causes of these discrepancies are discussed, providing new insights into the phylogeny of the marine Chloromyxum clade.

Lors d’une étude de la faune des Myxozoaires des Rajiformes de la côte atlantique argentine, dans les eaux situées au large de la province de Buenos Aires (34°–42°S; 53°–62°O), les vésicules biliaires de 217 spécimens appartenant à sept espèces, représentants deux familles, ont été examinés. En conséquence, trois espèces de Chloromyxum Mingazzini, 1890, à savoir C. atlantoraji n. sp., C. zearaji n. sp. et C. riorajum Azevedo, Casal, Garcia, Matos, Teles-Grilo et Matos, 2009 ont été trouvées, infectant trois espèces hôtes endémiques, Atlantoraja castelnaui (Arhynchobatidae), Zearaja chilensis (Rajidae) et Rioraja agassizii (Arhynchobatidae), respectivement. Ces espèces sont décrites sur la base de la morphologie et de la morphométrie des myxospores, ainsi qu’en fournissant leurs petites séquences d’ADN ribosomal (SSU ADNr). Les analyses phylogénétiques basées sur l’ADNr SSU ont montré que ces trois espèces constituaient un sous-clade monophylétique bien établi dans le clade des Chloromyxum marins, tandis que les branches sous-jacentes aux autres espèces de Chloromyxum étaient mal ou non résolues, indépendamment des identités taxonomiques hôtes (Carchariniformes, Myliobatiformes, Orectolobiformes, Pristiophoriformes, Rajiformes, Squaliformes et Torpediniformes) et/ou de la répartition géographique de l’hôte (côte atlantique du Portugal, côte atlantique des États-Unis, eaux australiennes ou mer Méditerranée). Les causes possibles de ces divergences sont discutées, fournissant de nouvelles informations sur la phylogénie du clade des Chloromyxum marins.

• MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
• Myxozoa klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• nemoci ryb epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• oceány a moře MeSH
• parazitární nemoci u zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• rejnokovití parazitologie   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA genetika   MeSH
• sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Argentina epidemiologie   MeSH
• oceány a moře MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ribozomální DNA MeSH

BACKGROUND: Myxozoa are extremely diverse microscopic parasites belonging to the Cnidaria. Their life-cycles alternate between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, predominantly in aquatic habitats. Members of the phylogenetically well-defined Sphaerospora (sensu stricto) clade predominantly infect the urinary system of marine and freshwater fishes and amphibians. Sphaerosporids are extraordinary due to their extremely long and unique insertions in the variable regions of their 18S and 28S rDNA genes and due to the formation of motile proliferative stages in the hosts' blood. To date, DNA sequences of only 19 species have been obtained and information on the patterns responsible for their phylogenetic clustering is limited. METHODS: We screened 549 fish kidney samples from fish of various geographical locations, mainly in central Europe, to investigate sphaerosporid biodiversity microscopically and by 18S rDNA sequences. We performed multiple phylogenetic analyses to explore phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary trends within the Sphaerospora (s.s.) clade, by matching host and habitat features to the resultant 18S rDNA trees. The apparent co-clustering of species from related fish hosts inspired us to further investigate host-parasite co-diversification, using tree-based (CoRE-PA) and distance-based (ParaFit) methods. RESULTS: Our study considerably increased the number of 18S rDNA sequence data for Sphaerospora (s.s.) by sequencing 17 new taxa. Eight new species are described and one species (Sphaerospora diminuta Li & Desser, 1985) is redescribed, accompanied by sufficient morphological data. Phylogenetic analyses showed that sphaerosporids cluster according to their vertebrate host order and habitat, but not according to geography. Cophylogenetic analyses revealed a significant congruence between the phylogenetic trees of sphaerosporids and of their vertebrate hosts and identified Cypriniformes as a host group of multiple parasite lineages and with high parasite diversity. CONCLUSIONS: This study significantly contributed to our knowledge of the biodiversity and evolutionary history of the members of the Sphaerospora (s.s.) clade. The presence of two separate phylogenetic lineages likely indicates independent historical host entries, and the remarkable overlap of the larger clade with vertebrate phylogeny suggests important coevolutionary adaptations. Hyperdiversification of sphaerosporids in cypriniform hosts, which have undergone considerable radiations themselves, points to host-driven diversification.

• Klíčová slova
• Host-parasite codiversification, Myxozoa, Phylogeny, Sphaerospora sensu stricto, Taxonomy, Teleost,
• MeSH
• biodiverzita * MeSH
• biologická evoluce MeSH
• Cnidaria MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• Myxozoa klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• parazitární nemoci u zvířat genetika   parazitologie   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA genetika   MeSH
• ryby klasifikace   genetika   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ribozomální DNA MeSH

Cellular motility is essential for microscopic parasites, it is used to reach the host, migrate through tissues, or evade host immune reactions. Many cells employ an evolutionary conserved motor protein- actin, to crawl or glide along a substrate. We describe the peculiar movement of Sphaerospora molnari, a myxozoan parasite with proliferating blood stages in its host, common carp. Myxozoa are highly adapted parasitic cnidarians alternately infecting vertebrates and invertebrates. S. molnari blood stages (SMBS) have developed a unique "dancing" behaviour, using the external membrane as a motility effector to rotate and move the cell. SMBS movement is exceptionally fast compared to other myxozoans, non-directional and constant. The movement is based on two cytoplasmic actins that are highly divergent from those of other metazoans. We produced a specific polyclonal actin antibody for the staining and immunolabelling of S. molnari's microfilaments since we found that neither commercial antibodies nor phalloidin recognised the protein or microfilaments. We show the in situ localization of this actin in the parasite and discuss the importance of this motility for evasion from the cellular host immune response in vitro. This new type of motility holds key insights into the evolution of cellular motility and associated proteins.

• MeSH
• aktiny imunologie   MeSH
• cytoplazma metabolismus   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• kapři krev   parazitologie   MeSH
• klonování DNA MeSH
• Myxozoa fyziologie   MeSH
• pohyb buněk MeSH
• protilátky metabolismus   MeSH
• protozoální proteiny imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• aktiny MeSH
• protilátky MeSH
• protozoální proteiny MeSH