Molecular systematics of dictyostelids: 5.8S Ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacer region analyses

The variability and adaptability of the amoebae from the class Dictyosteliornycetes greatly complicate their systematics. The nucleotide sequences of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers and the 5.8S ribosomal DNA gene have been determined for 28 isolates, and their utility to discriminate between different species and genera has been shown.