Phenotypic studies and molecular phylogeny and parasites of zoosporic organisms: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Allomyces spp., Saprolegnia spp. and Rozella spp.

Abstract

Recently, the genomes of two kinds of Cryptomycota were sequenced and these data allowed the classification of the group and the most basal branch of the phylogenetic tree showed that the fungi and Cryptomycota phylum includes the cryptic parasite microsporidia group. As common parasites in aquatic and marine ecosystems, knowledge of the diversity and ecological role of Cryptomycota will be fundamental for understanding nutrient cycling and control of host population dynamics. Moreover, it is likely that Cryptomycota may also infect humans, livestock, or animals of conservation concern. The research training aims to enable: i) Training for identifications of parasites in zoosporic organisms by phyla Chytridiomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Oomycota, Crytomycota, ii) Training in the use of molecular and genomics techniques to phylogenetic studies of zoosporic organisms, iii) training in bioinformatics for phylogenetic studies of zoosporic organisms, iv) determine the impact of these parasites in populations of zoosporic organisms.