MOLECULAR-GENETIC FINGERPRINTING OF PHODO PUS GENUS REPRESENTATIVES

DNA fingerprinting using M13 phage DNA as a probe, taxonomic typing of DNA, and random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD PCR) were employe d to study three hamster species of genus Phodopus (Muridae, Rodentia) : Phodopus roborovskii, Phodopus campbelli, Phodopus sungorus, and int erspecific hybrids of P. sungorus and P. campbelli. Bands that may ser ve as species-specific markers to identify and differentiate between r epresentatives of this group of species were detected in polymorphic s pectra obtained by each method. Genetic fingerprinting most efficientl y marked genomes on the level of individuals; RAPD PCR on the level of populations and species; and taxonomic typing of DNA, on the level of species and genus. The complex use of all three methods could be empl oyed for unambigous identification of organisms and for elucidation of evolutionary relations between species.