Bacterial Genus Xenorhabdus (Enterobacteriaceae) Part of the Bacterial Complex of Five Bulgarian Populations Entomopathogenic Nematode from Genus Steinernema (Steinernematidae: Rhabditida)

ABSTRACT

Twenty one bacterial strains of Xenorhabdus obtained from five nematode hosts from genus Steinernema were typed by analyzing 16S rDNA restriction patterns obtained after digestion of PCR amplified 16S rDNAs. Three tetramer endonucleases were used. A total of 14 genotypes were identified, forming main clusters after analysis using arithmetical methods (UPMGA). To identify the strains and all genotypes, the enzymes Hae III, Alu I and Hha I were used in the analysis. From our results we could conclude that RFLP-PCR of 16S rDNA analysis is an accurate method for identifying enomopathogenic nematode bacterial symbionts.

Keywords:

• entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN)
• symbiotic bacteria
• RFLP-analysis
• genotype
• endonuclease