Identification of Cecidophyopsis mites (Acari : Eriophyidae) based on variable simple sequence repeats of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer-1sequences via multiplex PCR

A PCR multiplex technique was developed for identifying Cecidophyopsis mite s using species-specific differences in rDNA ITS-I sequences. Four PCR prim ers derived from ITS-1 were used for the simultaneous amplification (multip lex PCR) of interspecifically variable simple sequence repeats (vSSRs). Mit es were identified by electrophoresing PCR products alongside those obtaine d from plasmids containing ITS copies of known mite species. The multiplex PCR assay was rapid, reproducible and had a sensitivity comparable to seque ncing. It was used to identity mite specimens on Ribes from around the worl d. It also identified a profile from mites on R. rubrum that had no equival ent amongst the known Cecidophyopsis species. Sequence and ecological analy sis of this mite suggest that it is a new species of nongall-forming Cecido phyopsis mite.