Comparative transcriptomics reveal stage-dependent parasitic adaptations in the myxozoan Sphaerospora molnari.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Parasitism as a life strategy has independently evolved multiple times within the eukaryotic tree of life. Each lineage has developed mechanisms to invade hosts, exploit resources, and ensure replication, but our knowledge of survival mechanisms in many parasitic taxa remain extremely limited. One such group is the Myxozoa, which are obligate, dixenous cnidarians. Evidence suggests that myxozoans evolved from free-living ancestors to endoparasites around 600 million years ago and are likely one of the first metazoan parasites on Earth. Some myxozoans pose significant threats to farmed and wild fish populations, negatively impacting aquaculture and fish stocks; one such example is Sphaerospora molnari, which forms spores in the gills of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), disr

SUBMITTER: Wisniewska MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11792419 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature