New mitochondrial genomes of parasites belonging to the Leucocytozoon toddi and Haemoproteus nisi groups (Haemosporida, Apicomplexa).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Avian haemosporidians are single-celled eukaryotic parasites of vertebrates that require dipteran vectors for transmission. The genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon currently comprise over 5000 parasite lineages based on a 478-bp section of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, which is the standard DNA barcode for avian haemosporidians. The mitochondrial genomes of apicomplexan parasites are highly condensed, with a length of approximately 6000 bp, containing three coding genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, cytochrome c oxidase subunit III and cytochrome b) and dispersed fragments of the small and large ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Since the mitochondrial genomes are relatively conserved, they are valuable markers for studying the phylogenetic relationship

SUBMITTER: Harl J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12903594 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature