An obligate symbiont of <i>Haematomyzus elephantis</i> with a strongly reduced genome resembles symbiotic bacteria in sucking lice.

ABSTRACT: The parvorder Rhynchophthirina with a single genus Haematomyzus is a small group of ectoparasites of unclear phylogenetic position, related to sucking and chewing lice. Previous screening based on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that Haematomyzus harbors a symbiotic bacterium whose DNA exhibits a strong shift in nucleotide composition typical of obligate mutualistic symbionts in insects. Within Phthiraptera, the smallest known genomes are found in the symbionts associated with sucking lice, which feed exclusively on mammal blood, compared to the generally larger genomes of the symbionts inhabiting chewing lice, which feed on skin derivatives. In this study, we investigate the genome characteristics of the symbiont associated with Haematomyzus elephantis. We sequenced and a

SUBMITTER: Martin Rihova J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12175528 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature