Mitochondrial DNA differences distinguishing Meloidogyne mayaguensis from the major species of tropical root-knot nematodes

The mitochondrial DNA region between the COIL and IRNA genes and the 63 base pair tandem repeat region have been used to differentiate and characterise Meloidogyne spp. In this study these regions have been amplified from M. mayaguensis, M. javanica, M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. hapla. Meloidogyne mayaguensis produces a unique product of 705 by from the COIL and IRNA region. Also, a product of 322 by was produced from the 63 by repeat region of M. mayaguensis unlike M. javanica, M. arenaria, and M. incognita that exhibit hypervariability in this region. Meloidogyne mayaguensis is a widely distributed root-knot nematode with the potential to cause great economic damage. These molecular diagnostics can be used for accurate identification of M. mayaguensis and can be used to monitor the occurrence and spread of this species, and to provide quarantine services tools to limit its dispersal.