Phylogenetic analysis of phagotrophic, phototrophic and osmotrophic euglenoids by using the nuclear 18S rDNA sequence

• Published in: International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. 783 - 791
• Main Authors: Mullner, AN, Angeler, DG, Samuel, R, Linton, EW, Triemer, RE
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Reading Soc General Microbiol 01.05.2001; Society for General Microbiology
• Subjects: Astasia; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Euglena; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics; Lepocinclis; Microbiology; Petalomonas cantuscygni; Phacus; rRNA; rRNA 18S; Systematics; Trachelomonas; Availability; Origin; Multiple; Classification; Ribosomal DNA; Maximum likelihood; Phylogeny; Species; Anchoring; Distance; Result; Strain
• ISSN: 1466-5026; 1466-5034
• DOI: 10.1099/00207713-51-3-783

AN Mullner, DG Angeler, R Samuel, EW Linton and RE Triemer Vienna University, Institute of Botany, Department of Higher Plant Systematics and Evolution, Rennweg 14, A-1030 Vienna, Austria Phylogenetic analyses of 35 strains including 25 previously published sequences and 10 which have been newly sequenced, representing two species of Euglena, five species of Phacus and three species of Astasia, were carried out using the SSU rDNA. Parsimony, distance and maximum-likelihood inferred phylogenies support (1) monophyly of the euglenoids, (2) kinetoplastids as the sister group, (3) the phagotrophic Petalomonas cantuscygni Cann et Pennick anchoring the base of the euglenoid lineage, (4) evolution of phototrophy within the euglenoids from a single event, (5) multiple origins of osmotrophic euglenoids and (6) polyphyly of the genera Euglena Ehrenberg and Phacus Dujardin. Analyses also indicate that Lepocinclis Perty, Trachelomonas Ehrenberg and Astasia Dujardin are polyphyletic. In addition, the results suggest that neither the Euglenales nor the Eutreptiales form a monophyletic lineage, thus questioning currently available classifications. Concerning the phagotrophic mode of nutrition, the data suggest that the feeding apparatus arose multiple times.