Myxozoa

– Myxozoans are a diverse group of metazoan microparasites belonging to the Cnidaria that are widely distributed in aquatic systems. Myxozoans have a complex life-cycle involving both vertebrate /usually fish/ and invertebrate /bryozoan, polychaete or oligochaete/ hosts.

Our ultimate aim is to solve the ongoing controversy between morphology and phylogeny in the Myxozoa by designing a taxonomic system that allows correct classification of all newly described species. In order to do so, we need to collect and sequence a wide diversity of species, ideally including as many type-species and representatives of the different genera as possible. Furthermore, we need to investigate different aspects of their biology in order to understand why they cluster in different branches of the phylogenetic tree.

This will allow us to identify those characteristics that shape Myxozoan evolution, leading to a better understanding of the broad diversity of extant species.

Fig. 1. An ornamental Chloromyxum spore. Scanning electron micrograph. / Photo: Astrid Holzer

Fig. 2. Plasmodia of Zschokkella sp., with disporous sporoblasts and mature spores. / Photo: Astrid Holzer

Fig. 3. Mature spores of Enteromyxum leei in the intestine of a gilthead seabream Sparus aurata. / Photo: Astrid Holzer

Fig. 4. In situ hybridisation showing heavy infection by Sphaerospora molnari on common carp Cyprinus carpio gill filaments. / Photo: Astrid Holzer