SSU rDNA sequencing and PCR-fingerprinting reveal genetic variation within <i>Glomus mosseae</i>

Abstract

Isolates of Glomus mosseae from international collections were compared using two molecular techniques: PCR-fingerprinting of genomic DNA with direct amplification of microsatellite regions, and sequencing of the small subunit (SSU) rDNA. Numerical analyses of these data using parsimony models were used to calculate phylogenetic topologies. The phylogenetic tree from SSU rDNA sequences was similar to the phylogenetic trees obtained from genomic fingerprinting using the amplification of microsatellite regions, except for one G. mosseae isolate, DAOM221475. Another isolate was not grouped with the other G. mosseae isolates by either method and was found to be Glomus sp. a posteriori. Both analyses showed considerable genetic variation within the species G. mosseae. We suggest that molecular data such as SSU rDNA sequences be used in the description of Glomales species, and PCR-fingerprinting could be used to study diversity within species of Glomales.