G. Hashmi et al., MOLECULAR COMPARISONS OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES USING RANDOMLY AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA (RAPD) MARKERS, Fundamental and applied nematology, 19(4), 1996, pp. 399-406
The two entomopathogenic nematode genera Heterorhabditis and Steinerne
ma were examined for genetic relatedness by random amplified polymorph
ic DNA (RAPD) markers. Species of these genera have great potential fo
r biological control of insect pests, and rapid and accurate identific
ation of the many isolates of these nematodes is important for their i
mplementation. Eighty ten-mer random primers were screened for use in
determining genetic variability among isolates of Heterorhabditis bact
eriophora H. megidis, Steinernema glaseri, S. carpocapsae, and S. felt
iae. A similarity of 0-6 % was observed between the members of differe
nt genera, and less than 20 % similarity was observed among congeneric
species. Genetic analysis using seven primers of different Heterorhab
ditis isolates from various parts of the world showed 24-96 % similari
ty. These results agreed with other reports which showed many genetic
differences among isolates. RAPD analysis described here can be used f
or the assessment of genetic variability among species and isolates of
entomopathogenic nematodes.