Evolutionary Biology: Self/Nonself Evolution, Species and Complex Traits Evolution, Methods and Concept

0485345 - BC 2018 RIV CH eng M - Monography Chapter
Füssy, Zoltán - Oborník, M.
Reductive evolution of apicomplexan parasites from phototrophic ancestors.
Evolutionary Biology: Self/Nonself Evolution, Species and Complex Traits Evolution, Methods and Concept. Cham: Springer, 2017, s. 217-236. ISBN 9783319615691
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : evolution * Apicomplexa * parasite
OECD category: Biology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology

Apicomplexans are widespread parasites of animals including humans with an interesting evolutionary history of trophic transitions from predation to photoautotrophy and later loss of photosynthesis. Comparison of extant phototrophic, predatory, and parasitic species revealed how engulfment of an alga constrained cellular biochemistry in the future parasites to a dependence on their non-photosynthetic plastid. Reconstructions of the common ancestor of Apicomplexa point out how complex this organism was as for metabolic repertoire, life cycle, and structural pre-adaptations. This ancestor was supposedly adapted to aerobic and anaerobic environments, predated on other eukaryotes using a flagellum-derived apical complex, and exhibited a complex life cycle to respond to sudden environmental changes. Rather than discovering entirely new features, therefore, apicomplexans a rose mainly via reductive evolution of cellular structures and pathways existing in free-living ancestors.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0280402