title: Development of a ribosomal DNA ITS2 marker for the identification of the thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis.
abstract: The thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an invasive pest that poses a significant economical threat to U.S. agriculture and trade. In this study, DNA sequence data and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were utilized to develop a molecular diagnostic marker for S. dorsalis. The DNA sequence variation from the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was analyzed from various thrips species, including S. dorsalis. A primer set and polymerase chain reaction cycling parameters were designed for the amplification of a single marker fragment of S. dorsalis ITS2 rDNA. Specificity tests performed on ten thrips species, efficacy tests performed on fifteen S. dorsalis populations, and tests on primer sensitivity and robustness all demonstrated the diagnostic utility of this marker. This diagnostic PCR assay provides a quick, simple, and reliable molecular technique to be used in the identification of S. dorsalis.
authors.affiliation: Mission Laboratory, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST), United States Department of Agriculture, 22675 N. Moorefield Rd., Edinburg, TX 78541, USA. Roxanne.e.farris@aphis.usda.gov
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Farris
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Arce
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciomperlik
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Vasquez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deleón
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics*; D007313:Insecta / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer