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Reproductive Morphometric Plasticity in Gregarina polymorpha Infecting Tenebrio molitor Larvae
Alejandro Javier Correa-Espinosa1, Gregorio Pérez-Cordón1
1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Morphological variability in the gregarine Gregarina polymorpha is extensive, challenging species identification. Molecular data confirm this variation occurs within a single species, highlighting plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Invertebrate Zoology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Morphological variability poses significant challenges in the taxonomy and species delimitation of gregarines (Apicomplexa: Gregarinomorphea).
- Understanding this variability is crucial for accurate classification and ecological studies of these protozoan parasites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent of morphometric variability in gametocysts and syzygies of Gregarina polymorpha infecting Tenebrio molitor larvae.
- To assess the role of quantitative morphometrics and molecular analyses in resolving taxonomic uncertainties caused by morphological variation.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative morphometric analysis of 100 gametocysts and 100 syzygies using light microscopy and digital morphometry.
- Statistical analysis of size distributions, including Hartigan's dip test for unimodality and correlation analysis (Pearson's r) for syzygy components.
- Molecular characterization using SSU rRNA sequencing of pooled samples from small and large gametocysts.
Main Results:
- Gametocyst size displayed extensive variability (4850–30,844 μm², CV > 30%), with size distributions deviating from normality and showing heterogeneity.
- Syzygy components (primitives and satellites) were strongly positively correlated (r=0.726), indicating growth patterns consistent with approximate isometry.
- Molecular analysis of SSU rRNA sequences from both small and large gametocyst pools yielded identical results, confirming intraspecific variation.
Conclusions:
- Gregarina polymorpha exhibits substantial reproductive morphometric plasticity, challenging traditional taxonomic approaches based solely on morphology.
- Morphological variability alone is insufficient for accurate species delimitation in gregarines, necessitating integrated taxonomic methods.
- Further research into the genetic and environmental factors driving this plasticity is warranted.
