Identification of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
The results of a study to differentiate Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) and B. mucronatus were presented at the 6th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Montreal. A French research group reported that the two species can be clearly differentiated by using a cloned MspI satellite DNA probe in a dot blot system. In Southern blot experiments, intraspecific patterns were detected among the different B. xylophilus isolates tested.
The authors concluded that the technique provides a sensitive and reliable method for the identification of one B. xylophilus individual using a simple squashed nematode procedure.
Sources
TarŠs, S.; Lemontey, J-M.; de Guiran, G.; Abad, P. (1993) A satellite DNA probe is able to differentiate isolates of the pinewood nematode species complex.
Presentation at the 6th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Montreal, CA, 1993-07/08-27/06.