1Division of Entomology and Nematology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru-560089, Karnataka, India
2Division of Horticulture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi-110 012, India
3Division of Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru-560089, Karnataka, India
4Post-Graduate Department of Studies and Research in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga-577451, Karnataka, India
*E-mail: lathakr84@gmail.com
Online published on 15 May, 2017.
Morphological identification of thrips using both adult and larvae is challenging due to their tiny size and cryptic behaviour. In this regard molecular identification and diversity of Scirtothrips dorsalis was carried out employing Internal Transcribed Spacer2 (ITS2) sequences. Amplification of ITS2 was very efficient, as there were more copies of gene per cell. The results showed moderate variations among populations of S. dorsalis. However, populations from Haveri, chilli were highly divergent. A phylogenetic tree, based on Maximum parsimony analysis demonstrated the divergent inter-species clusters that correspond to evolutionary lineages. This marker provided a rapid and reliable molecular identification of S. dorsalis and also valuable in understanding the molecular diversity and phylogeny.
Internal Transcribed Spacer2, maximum parsimony, phylogenetic tree, Scirtothrips dorsalis
