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Exploring the Evolutionary Relationships within the Genus Heterorhabditis Using different Genomic Markers and Proposing Specific Primers for Each Region
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Naser Eivazian Kary *    , Akbar Shirzad |
| Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, IRAN , eivazian@azaruniv.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (3 Views) |
This research introduces a suite of novel primers targeting phylogenetically informative genetic loci including Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1), ITS2, ITS, Cytochrome Oxidase I (COX1) and large subunit ribosomal DNA (28s-rDNA) within Heterorhabditis species and provide phylogenetically insights on the efficiency of these regions in unravelling phylogeny relationships. Two regions, namely ITS and 28S rDNA, proved instrumental in attaining highly resolved trees accompanied by solid branch supports. The ITS1-constructed phylogenetic tree exhibited decreased confidence ratings at deeper nodes by having low bootstrap values. Contrastingly, the ITS2-based tree registered augmented bootstrap scores for interior nodes. Root node polytomy characterized the tree arising from ITS1 and ITS2 analysis. Nonetheless, the composite ITS1 & ITS2 tree failed to align logically with singular ITS1 or ITS2 trees. Discordance primarily revolved around localization of the monophyletic cluster encompassing H. bacteriophora, H. beicherriana, and H. georgiana, designated as a sister group to another cluster. Across all reconstructed trees originating from varied ITS fragments, high level of consistency and retention indices (CI and RI, respectively) surfaced. Nevertheless, the COXI-based phylogenetic tree exhibited inferior CI and RI indices, suggesting lower fit of the tree to the data and a higher degree of homoplasy, respectively. Ultimately, the ITS region offered unrivaled discriminating prowess and dependable branch supports, cementing itself as the optimal choice for unequivocal demarcation of Heterorhabditis species delineations. Employment of the proposed primer set shall facilitate informed decision-making processes reliant upon robust phylogenetic frameworks. |
Article number: 3 |
| Keywords: Cytochrome Oxidase, Internal Transcribed Spacer, Phylogeny, Primer Design, 28S ribosomal DNA. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Biosafety
Received: 2026/05/18 | Accepted: 2026/06/22 | Published: 2026/06/22
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