Identification of fish-parasitic Myxobolus (Myxosporea) species using a combined PCR-RFLP method

Abstract

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers specific for the family Myxobolidae was used to amplify a part of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of Myxobolus species. The length of the amplified fragments was approximately 1600 base pairs. Six Myxobolus species identified on the basis of morphological features were compared using a combined PCR-RFLP method. The cleavage patterns generated by 2 frequent cutter restriction enzymes (HinfI and MspI) were suitable for the differentiation of the examined Myxobolus species.