Phylogenetic position of the pelobiont Mastigamoeba aspera and revision of the family Mastigamoebidae (Archamoebae, Pelobiontida)

Abstract

In this study, we presented the results of our molecular phylogenetic analysis of Archamoebae using a newly obtained sequence of the 18S rRNA gene of Mastigamoeba aspera, the type species of the genus. In addition, we characterized the general organization of the tubulin cytoskeleton of M. aspera by immunofluorescent microscopy and TEM. Our findings allowed us to revise the family Mastigamoebidae and establish within it two subfamilies: Mastigamoebinae for the genus Mastigamoeba and Seraviniinae subfam. nov. for the genera Seravinia gen. nov., Paramastigamoeba gen. nov., Iodamoeba and Endolimax. The type genera Mastigamoeba and Seravinia are clearly distinguished by the structure of the basal apparatus of flagella. In addition, the tubulin cytoskeleton of several Mastigamoeba spp. contains a rim of microtubules around the nuclei.

Keywords: Archamoebae; Mastigamoeba aspera; Mastigamoebidae; Microtubular cytoskeleton; Molecular phylogeny; Taxonomy.