A new and widespread group of fish apicomplexan parasites

Abstract

Apicomplexans are obligate intracellular parasites that have evolved from a free-living, phototrophic ancestor. The discovery of corallicolids, a clade of coral-infecting apicomplexans that retain chlorophyll biosynthesis genes, provided a unique window into this evolutionary transition. Here we describe new corallicolid diversity from a global survey of coral-associated eukaryotes, expanding our understanding of this important group and its evolutionary relationship to other apicomplexans.

Javier del Campo

Group Leader

My research aims at understanding the global diversity and distribution of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes employing curated phylogenetic frameworks focusing on novel environmental taxa.