An efficient and non-destructive DNA extraction method for oribatid mites

Abstract

Molecular methods play an important role in systematic acarology and DNA extraction is the first step in this ground. Nowadays, the varieties of methods are being used for extraction of DNA, but most of them destroy the important external characters that are essential for morphological identification. In order to overcome the problem of associating molecular and morphological information, we have developed a simple, efficient and non-destructive DNA extraction method for oribatid mites. The non-destructive method was tested on three different species [Oppia nitens C.L. Koch, 1836 (Oppiidae), Acrotritia ardua C.L. Koch, 1841 (Euphthiracaridae), and Amerus polonicus Kulczynski, 1902 (Ameridae)] and exoskeleton of specimens were preserved in Hoyer’s medium on glass microscopic slides for further identification via morphological studies. This method is more time consuming than commercial kits, but is easier and cheaper, meanwhile, allows systematic analysis with linking the morphological and genetic traits from a single mite. The most important advantage of TNES method is that after using this non-destructive method, specimens preserve all of their morphological features.

Keywords:

• CTAB
• TNES buffer
• DNA
• Acari, oribatida

Acknowledgements

We cordially thank Prof. Dr. Anna Skoracka (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland) for consultations and useful comments on the manuscript. We greatly appreciate the support for this project provided by the Research Divisions of University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran.