Molecular characterization of myxozoan parasites from Lake Sasajewun, Algonquin Park, Ontario, by riboprinting.

The small subunit-rRNA genes of 18 myxozoans from Lake Sasajewun, Algonquin Park were amplified and digested with restriction endonucleases for riboprinting analysis. Identical riboprints were not found between the myxosporeans and the actinosporeans. The distinct riboprinting patterns observed among these myxozoans indicate considerable genetic diversity within this group. Identical riboprints were found between Myxobolus pendula and Myxobolus pellicides, and between triactinomyxon 'C' and Triactinomyxon ignotum. Parsimony analysis of the riboprints demonstrated that neither the myxosporeans nor the actinosporeans formed a monophyletic group. Some species of Myxobolus are more closely related to forms of triactinomyxon, echinactinomyxon or raabeia than to other Myxobolus species. These results are consistent with the two-host life cycle hypothesis of myxozoans that myxosporeans and actinosporeans are alternating stages of the same organisms.