Open AccessThe phylogeny of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii based on ribosomal RNA sequences #
Author(s) -
Holmdahl O.Joakim M.,
Mattsson Jens G.,
Uggla Arvid,
Johansson KarlErik
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1994.tb06887.x
Subject(s) - neospora caninum , biology , toxoplasma gondii , phylogenetic tree , ribosomal rna , phylogenetics , 16s ribosomal rna , parasite hosting , 18s ribosomal rna , genetics , zoology , gene , antibody , world wide web , computer science
Neospora caninum is a newly described cyst‐forming coccidium which is the cause of severe neurological disease in dogs. The parasite is morphologically similar to Toxoplasma gondii , but the two species can be differentiated serologically. In order to define the phylogenetic position of N. caninum , we have determined 16S‐like rRNA sequences from three members of the family of Sarcocystidae: N. caninum, T. gondii , and Sarcocystis fusiformis . The 16S‐like rRNA genes from the three parasites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and the sequences were determined by direct solid‐phase sequencing. The sequences derived were computer aligned with several other 16S‐like rRNA sequences from protozoan parasites to construct phylogenetic trees. The study confirmed that N. caninum should be classified as a member of the family Sarcocystidae. However, because of the close relationship to T. gondii it seems questionable that N. caninum should be placed in a new genus.