The phylogenetic position of alpha- and beta-tubulins from the Chlorarachnion host and Cercomonas (Cercozoa)

Abstract

Alpha and beta-tubulin genes from Chlorarachnion and an alpha-tubulin gene from Cercomonas have been characterised. We found the Cercomonas and Chlorarachnion alpha-tubulins to be closely related to one another, confirming the proposed relationship of these genera. In addition, the Chlorarachnion host and Cercomonas also appear to be more distantly related to Heterolobosea, Euglenozoa, chlorophytes, heterokonts, and alveolates. Chlorarachnion was also found to have two distinctly different types of both alpha- and beta-tubulin, one type being highly-divergent. Chlorarachnion contains a secondary endosymbiont of green algal origin, raising the possibility that one type of Chlorarachnion tubul..