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Identifying new vahlkampfiid amoebae by ITS and 5.8S ribosomal DNA sequencing
Author(s) -
DE JONCKHEERE J. F.,
BROWN S.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of eukaryotic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 1066-5234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2005.05202003_2_3.x
Subject(s) - biology , ribosomal dna , naegleria , ribosomal rna , genus , dna sequencing , zoology , phylogenetics , evolutionary biology , genetics , dna , protozoa , gene
Small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) comparisons have revealed that not only species but even genus identification based on morphology is unreliable in the family Vahlkampfiidae, and SSU rDNA sequences have been used to redefine vahlkampfiid genera. However, it is time consuming to use SSU rDNA sequences for species identification. The ITS region (including the 5.8S rDNA) has the advantage that it is much shorter than the SSU rDNA and thus easier and quicker to obtain. Initially, 29 strains of 13 species belonging to seven vahlkampfiid genera were investigated. It was found that each species has a specific ITS sequence, which appears to be conserved within a species. The same had previously been found in the vahlkampfiid genus Naegleria . Consequently, we have demonstrated that the ITS region (including the 5.8S rDNA) can be used to identify vahlkampfiid amoebae. In the current investigation, the ITS sequences of 16 undescribed vahlkampfiid isolates were determined. Based on these sequences, seven isolates were identified as belonging to described species, while nine represent six new species. Four of the new species belong to the genus Tetramitus , and one each to the genera Vahlkampfia and Paravahlkampfia .