Remarks to the validity of Genbank sequences of Myxobolus spp. (Myxozoa, Myxosporidae) infecting Eurasian fishes

Abstract

AbstractOf the 850 known Myxobolus spp., 89 named species have DNA (in most cases 18S rDNA) sequences deposited in the Genbank. Only a part of the deposited sequences represent well identified samples collected from adequate organs of the original hosts. Some of the samples were collected from additional hosts or from fishes genetically far standing from the type-host. In the paper, reliability of sequences of some best known Myxobolus spp., deposited in the Genbank from freshwater fishes of Eurasia’s Palaearctic Region, are surveyed. Genbank sequences are classified into three groups. Sequences obtained from morphologically well characterised Myxobolus spp., which were collected from the type hosts, compose the group of valid sequences. To the group of probable valid sequences belong samples from spores morphologically corresponding to the original description, but collected from fishes closely related to the type-host; while sequences obtained from hosts genetically far standing from the type-hosts represent the category of the un-valid group.