Next generation taxonomy: integrating traditional species description with the holobiont concept and genomic approaches - The in-depth characterization of a novel Euplotes species as a case study

摘要: Abstract In 1991 Margulis defined holobionts as the assemblage of “two or more organisms, members different species” which remain associate “throughout a significant portion life history”. recent times, have been described among many and far-related groups living beings, such plants, algae, insects, corals, even humans. These studies arisen an increasing interest in contexts but, to our knowledge, holobiont concept has not applied taxonomy. Here we propose new approach modern taxonomy, aimed integrate genomic bioinformatic analyses with classical/morphological tools traditionally used The inclusion symbiont morphology, mitochondrial genomes will allow discipline move toward what could become “next generation taxonomy”. As example this paradigm characterization holobionts, herein provide taxonomic description ciliate protist Euplotes vanleeuwenhoeki sp. nov. (Euplotia, Ciliophora) its bacterial endosymbiont “Candidatus Pinguicoccus supinus” gen. nov., (Opitutae, Verrucomicrobia). Interestingly, found that extremely reduced genome (~163 Kbp), is suggestive high integration host represents first case extreme reduction Verrucomicrobia, host.