Comparison of mitochondrial and rRNA markers in Myxozoa
Most myxozoan phylogenetic studies have been based on the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. However, since both rRNA genes are part of the rRNA cluster, they are not independent markers. It is also known that the different copies of the rRNA cluster do not always evolve under concerted evolution in animals, so that intra-individual variation can occur. Because of these limitations of the rRNA cluster, there is a need for additional markers to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within Myxozoa. To evaluate the ability of mt genomes to reconstruct myxozoan relationships and to understand if the loss of cytochrome oxidase genes is a characteristic of Myxobolids, we here sequenced the mt genome of five myxozoans (Myxobolus wulii, M. honghuensis, M. shantungensis, Thelohanellus kitauei and, Sphaeromyxa zaharoni) using Illumina and Nanopore reads. For phylogenetic comparison, the rRNA cluster was also sequenced.