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Molecular Phylogenetic Position of Hoplonympha natator (Trichonymphea, Parabasalia): Horizontal Symbiont Transfer or Differential Loss?
Author(s) -
Mee Evan D.,
Gaylor Maya G.,
JassoSelles Daniel E.,
Mizumoto Nobuaki,
Gile Gillian H.
Publication year - 2019
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/jeu.12765
Subject(s) - biology , phylogenetic tree , horizontal gene transfer , obligate , clade , phylogenetics , evolutionary biology , ecology , gene , genetics
Hoplonympha natator is an obligate symbiont of Paraneotermes simplicicornis (Kalotermitidae), from southwestern North America. Another Hoplonympha species inhabits Hodotermopsis sjostedti (Archotermopsidae), from montane Southeast Asia. The large phylogenetic and geographical distance between the hosts makes the distribution of Hoplonympha puzzling. Here, we report the phylogenetic position of H. natator from P. simplicicornis through maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis of 18S rRNA genes. The two Hoplonympha species form a clade with a deep node, making a recent symbiont transfer unlikely. The distribution of Hoplonympha may be due to an ancient transfer or strict vertical inheritance with differential loss from other hosts.