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Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences of Schellackia parasites (Apicomplexa: Lankesterellidae) reveals their close relationship to the genus Eimeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 June 2013

R. MEGÍA-PALMA ,
J. MARTÍNEZ  and
S. MERINO
R. MEGÍA-PALMA*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, J. Gutiérrez Abascal, 2. E-28006, Madrid, Spain
J. MARTÍNEZ
Affiliation:
Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Alcalá de Henares, E-28871, Madrid, Spain
S. MERINO
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, J. Gutiérrez Abascal, 2. E-28006, Madrid, Spain
*
*Corresponding author: Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain. E-mail: rodrigo.megia@mncn.csic.es
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Summary

In the present study we detected Schellackia haemoparasites infecting the blood cells of Lacerta schreiberi and Podarcis hispanica, two species of lacertid lizards from central Spain. The parasite morphometry, the presence of a refractile body, the type of infected blood cells, the kind of host species, and the lack of oocysts in the fecal samples clearly indicated these blood parasites belong to the genus Schellackia. Until now, the species of this genus have never been genetically characterized and its taxonomic position under the Lankesterellidae family is based on the lack of the exogenous oocyst stage. However, the phylogenetic analysis performed on the basis of the 18S rRNA gene sequence revealed that species of the genus Schellackia are clustered with Eimeria species isolated from a snake and an amphibian species but not with Lankesterella species. The phylogenetic analysis rejects that both genera share a recent common ancestor. Based on these results we suggest a revision of the taxonomic status of the family Lankesterellidae.

Keywords

EimeriidaehaplotypeshaemococcidiaLacerta schreiberilizardphylogenyPodarcis hispanicataxonomy
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 140 , Issue 9 , August 2013 , pp. 1149 - 1157
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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