Genetic variation within the insect-pathogenic genus Entomophthora, focusing on the E-muscae complex, using PCR-RFLP of the ITS II and the LSU rDNA

The ITS II and the first part of the LSU rDNA were amplified from 26 isolat es within the genus Entomophthora. The specificity of the primers allowed t he use of both in vivo and in vitro material. Sire polymorphism and long am plification of the ITS II regions, ranging from 1200 to 2000 bp, were obser ved. The PCR-products were cut with eight different restriction endonucleas es and analysed by UPGMA, one analysis from each of the two regions. Conidi al morphology was of predictive Value for the overall taxonomy of the genus Entomophthora, as the genus clustered together in the analysis of the LSU rDNA. In both analyses the E. muscae complex clustered into three different clades, which support the Validity of E. schizophorae and E. syrphi as sep arate species. Considerable variation was detected in the E. muscae clade, but it could not be grouped by host, geographic origin or conidial morpholo gy, though the E. muscae s. str. isolates in both analyses grouped together . One isolate with E. muscae-like conidia found on Hymenoptera clustered ou t within the E. muscae clade, widening the host range for E. muscae signifi cantly.