Classification and Phylogenetics of Myxozoa

摘要: Myxozoans evolved as an endoparasitic radiation of cnidarians exploiting invertebrate and vertebrate (primarily fish) hosts in freshwater marine environments. Currently, there are some 2,200 nominal species classified to 64 genera 17 families. These groupings mainly based on spore morphology. This chapter provides updated spore-based taxonomic key that takes into account the recent recognition cnidarian origin myxozoans well important revisions at generic, family suborder levels over last decade. A list generic synonyms is also reviewed here. Myxozoan molecular phylogenies largely disagree with traditional classification systems, probably due extreme plasticity myxospore morphologies has resulted extensive convergence. Molecular (based all existing SSU sequences those available for known actinospore-producing stages) resolve malacosporeans, myxosporeans, myxosporeans sphaerosporid lineages. Within these clades can be resolved according definitive host type and, partially, environment. Numerous exceptions indicative several recursions or Further resolution within identifies groups tissue tropism their hosts. We suggest future studies myxozoan systematics address persisting phylogenetic discrepancies make recommendations describing taxa absence sequence data when morphological incongruent.