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Title: Coccidian parasites of fish encompass profound phylogenetic diversity and gave rise to each of the major parasitic groups in terrestrial vertebrates

Author
item Rosenthal, Benjamin
item Dunams, Detiger
item OSTOROS, GYORGI - Hungarian Academy Of Sciences
item MOLNAR, KALMAN - Hungarian Academy Of Sciences

Submitted to: Infection, Genetics and Evolution
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2016
Publication Date: 6/1/2016
Citation: Rosenthal, B.M., Dunams, D.B., Ostoros, G., Molnar, K. 2016. Coccidian parasites of fish encompass profound phylogenetic diversity and gave rise to each of the major parasitic groups in terrestrial vertebrates. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 40L219-227.

Interpretive Summary: Coccidian paraasites are ubiquitous single-celled protists that cause enteric disease in all manner of vertebrate hosts. These include infections of wildlife, livestock, and people, resulting in a variety of disease outcomes. The diversity and relationships among these diverse parasites is best known for those infecting mammals and birds, but significant gaps remain in our understanding of the parasites in acquatic hosts. This ignorance impedes a clear view of the history of this group, given the origins of all terrestrial vertebrates in fish ancestors. Here, we sequenced ribosomal RNA genes from a range of coccidian parasites derived from a variety of fish and used these data to develop the first phylogenetic framework to include these species. We found a remarkable genetic diversity among parasites ascribed to the genus Goussia, suggesting that these comprise at least four distinct evolutionary lineages that commenced diversifying early in the history of coccida. These data also substantiate origins for Eimeria, an imporant parasitic group in poultry and livestock, as parasites of fish. These data shed light on the historical origins and extant diversity of an enigmatic group of parasites, and will support future efforts to better understand the ecological impact of these parasites as well as their zoonotic potential. Therefore, they will be of interest to veterinarians, evolutionary biologists, epidemiologists, fisheries biologists, aquaculturist, and public health officials.

Technical Abstract: Coccidian paraasites are ubiquitous single-celled protists that cause enteric disease in all manner of vertebrate hosts. These include infections of wildlife, livestock, and people, resulting in a variety of disease outcomes. The diversity and relationships among these diverse parasites is best known for those infecting mammals and birds, but significant gaps remain in our understanding of the parasites in acquatic hosts. This ignorance impedes a clear view of the history of this group, given the origins of all terrestrial vertebrates in fish ancestors. Here, we sequenced ribosomal RNA genes from a range of coccidian parasites derived from a variety of fish and used these data to develop the first phylogenetic framework to include these species. We found a remarkable genetic diversity among parasites ascribed to the genus Goussia, suggesting that these comprise at least four distinct evolutionary lineages that commenced diversifying early in the history of coccida. These data also substantiate origins for Eimeria, an imporant parasitic group in poultry and livestock, as parasites of fish. These data shed light on the historical origins and extant diversity of an enigmatic group of parasites, and will support future efforts to better understand the ecological impact of these parasites as well as their zoonotic potential. Therefore, they will be of interest to veterinarians, evolutionary biologists, epidemiologists, fisheries biologists, aquaculturist, and public health officials.