GENETIC ANALYSIS OF THREE BURSAPHELENCHUS SPECIES BY RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA

Abstract

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to estimate the genetic relationships among three Bursaphelenchus species, B. mucronatus, B. tusciae and B sexdentati. Nine isolates of B. mucronatus, three of B. sexdentati and one of B. tusciae, recently described in Italy, were examined. The nematodes, multiplied on Botrytis cinerea plates, were tested with 20 different primers. The differentiation obtained with RAPDs was fully in agreement with morphobiometrical data; the genetic similarity between the examined species is clearly revealed.