Figure 7

Maximum likelihood topology based on dataset of 54 aligned myxosporean SSU rDNA sequences, generated using the general time reversible model of nucleotide substitution in PhyML. Thick branches terminate in a node that received full support from three independent phylogenetic methodologies, numbers at the nodes refer to bootstrap support values for maximum likelihood (100 samplings), Bayesian posterior probability support and percentage bootstrap support for maximum parsimony (1000 samplings), (ns) indicates an unsupported node or one with a support value below 50. The light red shaded box represents a well-supported clade of myxosporeans that infect the hepatic biliary systems of a wide range of host organisms, the number at the nodes in this clade refer to maximum likelihood support values (see Figure 8 for Bayesian and maximum parsimony topologies for this clade). The darker red shaded box within the hepatic biliary clade contains Sphaeromyxa lycodi and other sphaeromyxid taxa. The shaded areas bordered by a bold dashed line represent taxa from the suborder Variisporina, with the exception of the Multivalvulida sequences from the marine teleost group (blue box).The light orange shaded area, bordered by a solid line contains taxa from the suborder Platysporina. All myxosporean sequences were taken from fish hosts unless specified with symbols after the specific names: representing turtle, shrew, waterfowl or amphibian hosts.The accession numbers of all sequences used in this analysis are listed in additional file 1.