Study on phylogenetic relationship of freshwater planarians (Turbellaria: Tricladida: Paludicola) in nine Chinese localities using RAPD method

Objective. China is rich in freshwater planarian resource. In order to investigate phylogenetic relationships, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was applied to analyze RAPD pattern variations in planarians collected from nine Chinese localities, which belong to Dugesia japonica and Seidlia sinensis, respectively. Methods. Among 60 arbitrary primers (10 bp) under predetermined optimum reaction conditions, 27 primers were informative and yielded a total number of 314 clear and reproducible bands. The patterns show polymorphic variations among and within species. RAPD data were used to calculate Nei and Li similarity coefficient and genetic distance. Molecular systematic evolution tree was reconstructed by Nearest-Neighbor method via program SPSS 10.0. Results. The results showed that samples of D. japonica collected from eight localities clustered first, and then clustered with S. sinensis. In the clade of D. japonica, three branches are further divided. Conclusion. This clustering pattern coincides with the results drawn from the cytogenetical study, and also relates to their geographic distribution. [Life Science Journal. 2009; 6(2): 71 - 75] (ISSN: 1097 - 8135).