Species identification of Diplostomum pseudospathaceum Niewiadomska, 1984 and D.paracaudum [Iles, 1959] metacercariae using DNA polymorphism amplified by arbitrary primers

Metacercariae of Diplostomum pseudospathaceum and D. paracaudum were examined for genetic differences by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Eleven different oligonucleotide decamers with arbitrary DNA sequence were tested as primers to amplify DNA from D. pseudospathaceum and D. paracaudum. Depending on the primer, the number of reproducible amplified fragments varied from 7 to 15, ranging in size from 0.2 to 2.0 kb DNA. Reproducible differences in patterns allowed differentiation of the two species with each primer. RAPD patterns unambiguously discriminated between D. pseudospathaceum and D. paracaudum, allowing good species identification.