RAPD-PCR-Based Genetic Relationships Among Three Forensically Important Calliphorid Species (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract

Molecular genetic markers have been effectively used to analyze genetic relationships and diversity among different groups of dipterans. The emergence of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) facilitated analysis of molecular markers e.g., Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR), has contributed a great deal in resolving the genetic relatedness in many dipterans of medical, veterinary, and economic importance. In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the phylogenetic relationships among three calliphorid species, namely Hemipyrellia pulchra (Weidemann) and Lucilia cuprina (Weidemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), employing Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) technique using twenty random decamer primers. Complete genomic DNA was isolated from the three species and amplified by PCR using twenty random decamer primers. A total of 285 bands ranging from 141 bp to 2648 bp were generated. Tools for population genetic analysis (TFPGA) software was used to calculate genetic identity among the three species. A close relationship among the three species is reflected by high values of mean Genetic identity (0.661–0.713).