The Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of (Apicomplexa: Coccidia).

Rabbit coccidiosis is caused by infection with one or, more commonly, several species that parasitize the hepatobiliary ducts or intestinal epithelium of rabbits. Currently, there are eleven internationally recognized species of rabbit coccidia, with the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of six species commonly infecting rabbits having been sequenced and annotated. was initially discovered in 2011 and prompted a preliminary study on this species. Through traditional morphological analysis, was identified as a novel species of rabbit coccidia. To further validate this classification, we sequenced and annotated its mitochondrial genome. The complete mt genome of spans 6258 bp and comprises three cytochrome genes (), fourteen gene fragments for the large subunit (LSU) rRNA, and nine gene fragments for the small subunit (SSU) rRNA, lacking transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome sequence of revealed its clustering with six other species of rabbit coccidia into a monophyletic group. Additionally, and were grouped within the lineage lacking oocyst residuum, consistent with their morphological characteristics. Consistent with multiple molecular phylogenies, in this investigation, was further confirmed as a new species of rabbit coccidia. Our research findings are of great significance for the classification of coccidia and for coccidiosis prevention and control in rabbits.