Abstract

Primary Structure of 28S rRNA Gene Confirms Monophyly of Free-Living Heterotrophic and Phototrophic Apicomplexans (Alveolata)

K. V. Mikhailov¹, D. V. Tikhonenkov^2,3, J. Janouškovec^3,4, A. Y. Diakin⁵, M. V. Ofitserov⁶, A. P. Mylnikov², and V. V. Aleshin^1*

¹Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; fax: +7 (495) 939-3181; E-mail: kv.mikhailov@belozersky.msu.ru; Aleshin@genebee.msu.su

²Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, 152742 Borok, Russia; fax: +7 (48547) 24-042; E-mail: tikho-denis@yandex.ru; mylnikov@ibiw.yaroslavl.ru

³University of British Columbia, Department of Botany, V6T 1Z4 British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; E-mail: janjan.cz@gmail.com

⁴Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, ON M5G 1Z8 Toronto, Canada

⁵Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany and Zoology, 60177 Brno, Czech Republic; E-mail: ondredyakin@gmail.com

⁶State Scientific Institute of Irrigation Fish Breeding, 142460 Vorovskogo Settlement, Noginsk District, Moscow Region, Russia; fax: + 7 (496) 513-7588; E-mail: miha-akademik@ya.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received July 7, 2015
Phylogenetic analysis of large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA or 28S rRNA) gene sequences from free-living predatory flagellates Colpodella angusta, Voromonas pontica, and Alphamonas edax (Apicomplexa) confirms their close relationship with chromerids Chromera velia and Vitrella brassicaformis, which possess a functional photosynthetic plastid. Together these organisms form a sister group to parasitic apicomplexans (coccidians and gregarines, or sporozoans sensu lato). This result agrees with the previous conclusion on monophyly of colpodellids and chromerids (chrompodellids) based on phylogenomic data. The revealed relationships demonstrate a complex pattern of acquisition, loss, or modification of plastids and transition to parasitism during alveolate evolution.
KEY WORDS: molecular phylogenetics, ribosomal RNA genes, apicomplexans, Sporozoa, heterotrophic flagellates, plastids, evolution of parasitism
DOI: 10.1134/S0006297915110115

Primary Structure of 28S rRNA Gene Confirms Monophyly of Free-Living Heterotrophic and Phototrophic Apicomplexans (Alveolata)

K. V. Mikhailov1, D. V. Tikhonenkov2,3, J. Janouškovec3,4, A. Y. Diakin5, M. V. Ofitserov6, A. P. Mylnikov2, and V. V. Aleshin1*

K. V. Mikhailov¹, D. V. Tikhonenkov^2,3, J. Janouškovec^3,4, A. Y. Diakin⁵, M. V. Ofitserov⁶, A. P. Mylnikov², and V. V. Aleshin^1*