Genetic Diversity and Phylogeny of the Genus Euplotes (Protozoa, Ciliophora) Revealed by the Mitochondrial CO1 and Nuclear Ribosomal Genes

Nuclear ribosomal and mitochondrial genes have been utilized individually or in combination to identify known species and discriminate closely related species. However, compared with metazoans, genetic diversity within the ciliate order Euplotida is poorly known. The aim of this study is to investigate how much nucleotide sequence divergence occurs within Euplotes. A total of 14 new gene sequences, comprising four SSU rDNA and 10 CO1 (including three species for the first time) were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out based on sequences of two DNA fragments from the same 27 isolates. We found that CO1 revealed a larger interspecific divergence than the SSU rRNA gene, thus demonstrating a higher resolution for separating congeners. Genetic distances differ significantly at the species level. Euplotes balteatus was revealed to have a large intraspecific variation at two loci, while E. vannus showed different levels of haplotype variability, which appeared as a polyphyletic cluster on the CO1 tree. These high genetic divergences suggest the presence of more cryptic species. By contrast, the CO1 gene showed low variability within E. raikovi, appearing as monophyletic clusters, which indicates that this species could be identified based on this gene. Conclusively, CO1 is a suitable marker for the study of genetic diversity within Euplotes, and increased taxon sampling gives an opportunity to screen relationships among members of this genus. Additionally, current data present no clear biogeographical pattern for Euplotes.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate genetic diversity and species identification within the ciliate order Euplotida using nuclear ribosomal and mitochondrial genes. Results showed that the CO1 gene had higher resolution in separating congeners compared to the SSU rRNA gene, and genetic distances differed significantly at the species level. The presence of more cryptic species was suggested by high genetic divergences observed, with the CO1 gene showing potential as a useful marker for species identification within Euplotes.