Comparison of the sequences of the D3 expansion of the 26S ribosomal genes reveals different degrees of heterogeneity in different populations and species of Pratylenchus from the Mediterranean region

Plant parasitic nematodes belonging to the genus Pratylenchus, also known as root lesion nematodes, cause serious economic damage to different crop plants. In order to explore genetic structures in different isolates, we investigated several P. thornei, P. neglectus and P. penetrans populations of different geographic origins. The analysis at the species level was also extended to P. penetrans, P. pinguicaudatus, P. vulnus and P. mediterraneus. Sequence analysis of a specific portion of DNA was carried out. In particular, the sequences of the D3 region of the 26S gene were obtained and compared with similar sequences available in databases. The results support the hypothesis that P. penetrans may represent a species complex, while in P. neglectus the intra-species heterogeneity observed is due to intra-individual variability. Furthermore, the specific conservation of some nucleotides in different P. thornei populations indicates their fixation in the rDNA repeats in this species. The presence of these nucleotides, the molecular signature of P. thornei, may assist in determining the nature of nematode infections.