RT Journal Article
T1 Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences of Schellackia parasites (Apicomplexa: Lankesterellidae) reveals their close relationship to the genus Eimeria
A1 Megia Palma, Rodrigo Manuel
A1 Martínez, J.
A1 Merino, S.
AB 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.
PB Cambridge University Press
SN 0031-1820
YR 2013
FD 2013
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/112761
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/112761
LA eng
NO Megía-Palma, Martínez, & Merino. (2013). Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences of Schellackia parasites (Apicomplexa: Lankesterellidae) reveals their close relationship to the genus Eimeria. Parasitology, 140(9), 1149-1157. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182013000553
NO Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 7 abr 2025