Babesia bennetti: A chimeric sequence for a true parasite?

In this Letter, the possibility is raised and evidenced that the published sequence of the avian piroplasm Babesia bennetti is a chimera. This is an important taxonomic and phylogenetic issue, as this unique sequence creates a second clade of avian piroplasms within Babesia sensu stricto.

Automated summary

This study reveals that the published sequence of the avian piroplasm Babesia bennetti is a chimera, which has significant taxonomic and phylogenetic implications.