A study of phylogenetic variations among Indian <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Phoma tropica </i>species by RAPD-PCR and ITS-rDNA sequencing

Abstract

The genus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Phoma</i> is taxonomically controversial due to its poly and paraphyletic generic phylogenies, and unclear species boundaries. The conventional system of identification is applicable but has its limitations. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Phoma tropica</i> Schneider &amp; Boerema<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>is a highly polyphyletic species and has not been much explored. Hence, the present study was attempted to delineate genetic variations among different <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">P. tropica</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> </b>species based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS-rDNA) sequencing methods. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">P. tropica</i> species were highly polyphyletic and were retrieved into distinct clades. The genetic diversity observed among the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">P. tropica</i> species may be due to the difference in environmental conditions or due to the different types of host from where the species were isolated. Thus, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">P. tropica</i> shows potential to evolve relatively quickly and retains considerable genetic variations.