Txikispora is a genus of parasitic protists made up solely of the species Txikispora philomaios. It is the only genus in the family Txikisporidae, which is a member of the class Filasterea and is closely related to Ministeriidae. The lineage was first described in 2022 based on specimens identified from the United Kingdom. The species represents a previously undiscovered type of life that diverged extremely early from animals and fungi.[1] It parasitizes amphipods in the genera Echinogammarus and Orchestia and most frequently infects their hemolymph and hemocytes.
The species goes through several stages of life. The first is as a single spherical cell, called the monokaryotic stage.[2] It usually has a cell wall, and is characterized by a nucleus with a small nucleolus on its periphery and many small mitochondria with diverse lipoid structures.[3] The next stage is multinucleated, and consists of four cells joined together and is somewhat larger.[2] It appears to have three cells, with the fourth often hidden from view. The unicellular stage is often split off from the multicellular one.[3]
Taxonomy and etymology
The Filozoan species was described in 2022 in the Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology by Ander Urrutia, Stephen Feist, and David Bass.[4] The new generic and specific combination Txikispora philomaios means "May-loving spore", in reference to its presence in collections during only a few days during the month of May.[1]Txikispora is derived from a Basque word: txiki meaning "small" and a latin one spora meaning "spore". The specific epithet philomaios is: philo meaning "love" and maios meaning "May".[2]
A Rel homology region (RHR) was identified in Txikispora philomaios. The characteristics of the RHR of Txikispora philomaios was most similar to Tunicaraptor unikontum, suggesting a phylogenetic relationship between the two species.[5]
Ecology
Txikispora philomaios parasitizes the amphipod genera Echinogammarus and Orchestia, but is not found in the related genera Gammarus and Melita. Individuals infected by the parasite displayed yellowing tegument, a less rigid carapace, less visible internal organs, and increased lethargy and unresponsiveness.[6]Txikispora philomaios specifically infects the hemolymph and individual hemocytes, with up to ten parasites found in a single hemocyte. Other organs that are infected are the hepatopancreas, testes, and ovaries.[7]
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