Molecular Identification of Three Argas Species Using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification and Restriction Analysis of the Small-Subunit Ribosomal RNA Gene

Awwad, Mohammed H.; Abou El Kheir, Sahar M.; Lashien, Gehan H.

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2002.18769

Molecular Identification of Three Argas Species Using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification and Restriction Analysis of the Small-Subunit Ribosomal RNA Gene

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Benha Branch

10.21608/ejhm.2002.18769

Abstract

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of SrRNA gene of Argas species (~1800 bp) is a very useful technique for differentiation of Argas persicus, Argas hermanni and Argas arboreus species. The PCR/RFLPs profile of EaeI and EcoRI restriction endonucleases were highly characteristic of the genetic interspecific levels and low genetic intraspecific levels of the three species. Other enzymes proved that A. persicus and A. hermanni may be a single or monophyletic species (SacII and SstII restriction endonucleases). AvaII restriction enzyme showed that A. hermanni and A. arboreus could be a monophyletic species. AvaI restriction endonuclease was the only restriction enzyme to prove that the three Argas species may be polyphyletic species and identified uniquely by this enzyme.

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