The myxozoan minicollagen gene repertoire was not simplified by the parasitic lifestyle: Computational identification of a novel myxozoan minicollagen gene

Lineage-specific gene expansions represent one of the driving forces in the evolutionary dynamics of unique phylum traits. Myxozoa, a cnidarian subphylum of obligate parasites, are evolutionarily altered and highly reduced organisms with a simple body plan including cnidarian-specific organelles and polar capsules (a type of nematocyst).