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Abstract Laboulbeniales(Ascomycota) are an order of understudied, biotrophic microfungi uniquely associated with arthropods. More than 2300 species are described but only a fraction of those have been sequenced. Molecular studies have shown that cryptic diversity and phenotypic plasticity are present within theLaboulbeniales. Thus far, all of the 146 genera described inLaboulbenialeshave been based on morphological characteristics; features commonly used to delineate genera are the organization of receptacle cells and the number of perithecial outer wall cells. The genusBotryandromyceswas erected to accommodate two species,B. heteroceriandB. ornatus(type), which share similar morphological characteristics and are different from other genera in their number of perithecial outer wall cells. Here, we generated sequences of multiple loci (18S, ITS, and 28S) ofB. heteroceriand severalLaboulbeniaspecies. Our phylogenetic analyses retrievedBotryandromyceswithinLaboulbeniawith high support. The twoBotryandromycesspecies are similar to relatedLaboulbeniaspecies in their upper receptacle (i.e., cells IV and V). We propose to transferBotryandromyces ornatusandB. heteroceritoLaboulbeniaasL. heteroceriandL. maireinom. nov., respectively, due to a complicated taxonomic history. These results advocate the use of molecular data and the necessity of an integrative taxonomy approach in the study ofLaboulbenialesnot only to delineate species, but also to investigate relationships among species, genera, and higher taxa as well as to understand the evolution of morphology in this group of fungi.
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This content will become publicly available on May 1, 2026
A New Paramoeba Isolate From Florida Exhibits a Microtubule‐Bound Endosymbiont Closely Associated With the Host Nucleus
ABSTRACT The generaParamoebaandNeoparamoeba, within the family Paramoebidae (order Dactylopodida), are distinguished by their dactylopodial pseudopodia and the presence of an intracellular eukaryotic symbiont, thePerkinsela‐like organism (PLO). Taxonomic classification within these genera has been challenging due to overlapping morphological traits and close phylogenetic relationships.Theyare marine, with some playing significant roles as parasites. Notably, they have been implicated in sea urchin mass mortality events and are known causative agents of Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD) in fish. Despite their ecological and economic importance, many aspects of their diversity, biology, evolution, and host interactions remain poorly understood. In this study, we describe a novel amoeba species,Paramoeba daytonin. sp., isolated from Daytona Beach, Florida. Morphological and molecular analyses confirm its placement within theParamoebaclade, closely related toP. eilhardi,P. karteshi, andP. aparasomata. Phylogenetic assessments using 18S rDNA (18S) and Cytochrome c Oxidase I (COI) markers demonstrate the limitations of the 18S gene for species delineation, highlighting COI as a more reliable genetic marker for this group. Additionally, observations on PLO morphology, movement, and microtubule association provide insights into the endosymbiotic relationship, reinforcing the need for further research into this unique eukaryote‐eukaryote symbiosis.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2401946
- PAR ID:
- 10596306
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiyle
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
- Volume:
- 72
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 1066-5234
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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