Solving an old enigma: Morellospora saccamoebae gen. nov., sp. nov. (Rozellomycota), a Sphaerita-like parasite of free-living amoebae

The Rozellomycota form a lineage basal or sister to the Fungi, ancestor of Microsporidia. Their biodiversity is very rich but remains poorly characterized. The few known species are all parasites, whether of water molds and algae (Rozella), crustaceans (Mitosporidium), or as endonuclear parasites of amoebae (Nucleophaga, Paramicrosporidium). Since the nineteenth century, intracytoplasmic parasites of various protozoa have been described as species of the same genus Sphaerita. However, it was later thought possible to separate these parasites into at least two distinct groups, those forming flagellated zoospores, prevalent in Euglena and other flagellates, and those forming immobile spores, found mainly in free-living and endozoic amoebae. Herein, we report the recovery of a strain of the free-living amoeba species Saccamoeba lacustris, naturally infected by an intracytoplasmic parasite, which under light microscope has a morphology consistent with that of Sphaerita. Biomolecular analyses were thus performed. Our results show that the intracytoplasmic parasite of Saccamoeba belongs to the same subgroup of Mitosporidium and that it forms a new genus within Rozellomycota, Morellospora, that corresponds to the former spore-forming Sphaerita-like parasites of amoebae.

Rediscovery of Nucleophaga amoebae, a novel member of the Rozellomycota

Recent studies showed that the huge diversity branching at or near the phylogenetic root of the fungal kingdom, mostly constituted by uncultured environmental clones, is actually characterized by intracellular predators/parasites of various eukaryotes. These form three related lineages: the Aphelidea, endoparasites of algae; the Rozellomycota, with Rozella species mainly endoparasites of water moulds, and Paramicrosporidium species endonuclear parasites of amoebae; and the Microsporidia, mainly endoparasites of animals. Increasing evidence suggests the emergence of Microsporidia from within Rozellomycota; however, their fungal or protistan nature is still unclear. Here, we report the molecular phylogeny based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rDNA) gene, of an additional endoparasite of amoebae, corresponding to the old enigmatic chytrid Nucleophaga amoebae described in the nineteenth century. Our results show that Nucleophaga, possessing a morphotype intermediate between Rozella and Paramicrosporidium, emerges as a unique lineage within the Rozellomycota. The recovery and characterization of new members of Rozellomycota are of high value for the understanding of the early evolutionary history of the Fungi and related lineages.

Researches on the intestinal protozoa of monkeys and man

1. This memoir amplifies my accounts ofEndolimax nanapublished in 1919 and 1933. The complete life-history, as observable in cultures, is now described—special attention being devoted to the nuclear structure at all stages.

2. Additional information is also given about methods of cultivation, viability of the cystsin vitro, the ‘nucleal reaction’, natural parasites (Sphaerita, etc.), and other details.

3. The life-history has been found to comprise trophic, precystic, cystic, and metacystic stages, comparable with those described inEntamoeba histolytica(1928) andE. coli(1938).

4. The trophic amoeba is redescribed, with special reference to the polymorphism of its karyosome.

5. Division of the trophic amoeba (by binary fission) has been studied, and the mitosis of its nucleus is now first described in detail. It is characterized by the formation of an intranuclear spindle, with well-developed centrioles and centrodesmus. The granular chromosomes are 10 in number, and arranged in a ring on the equatorial plate.

6. Precystic amoebae are smaller than trophic forms —the reduction in size being effected during the last two divisions before encystation.

7. The cyst is formed by a precystic amoeba in the usual way. Inside the cyst, the nucleus undergoes two successive mitotic divisions similar to those seen in trophic forms. The ripe cyst is therefore 4-micleate, though supernucleate specimens—which are viable— occur occasionally. Glycogen is normally present in young (1- and 2-nucleate) cysts, but not in those which are mature.

8. The process of excystation is described for the first time, and closely resembles that seen inE. histolytica. The entire protoplasmic contents emerge as a single 4-nucleate amoeba through a minute pore in the cyst wall.

9. Metacystic development—not previously studied —consists in simple division, by successive cytoplasmic bipartitions without division of the nuclei, into 4 uninucleate amoebulae. These grow into trophic amoebae once more.

10. The whole life-history is thus asexual, with no gametes, conjugation, or autogamy, at any stage.