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Molecular Identification of Phytoplasma Vector Species

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Phytoplasma

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 938))

Abstract

The correct identification of the insect species involved in phytoplasma transmission is an essential condition for managing phytoplasma diseases and employing control strategies. The taxonomy of leafhoppers, planthoppers, and psyllids traditionally relies on morphological characters. Unfortunately, the identification of the distinctive traits requires skills and experience possessed by only a few specialist entomologists. In this chapter we provide protocols for the molecular identification of phytoplasma-vector species, mainly based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA. Protocols for the application of molecular identification keys to dried specimens stored in insect collections are also provided. The same total DNA preparations can serve as a PCR template for either insect species or phytoplasma identification. The molecular identification methods can be applied not only to males, but also to nymphs and females for which a morphological taxonomic tool is generally unavailable. We suggest that taxonomic databases of planthoppers, leafhoppers, and psyllids should include species-specific DNA sequences as soon as they become available.

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Acknowledgement

The research carried out by the authors on molecular identification of insect species is supported by the Italian Ministry of Research (MIUR), under the grant PRIN 2008 “Identification of species and intra-specific variants of sap-sucking and parasitoid insects with molecular markers.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DIVAPRA—Entomologia e Zoologia applicate all’Ambiente “Carlo Vidano”, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy

    Sabrina Bertin & Domenico Bosco

Authors
  1. Sabrina Bertin
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  2. Domenico Bosco
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sabrina Bertin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biosciences, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom

    Matt Dickinson

  2. The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom

    Jennifer Hodgetts

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Bertin, S., Bosco, D. (2013). Molecular Identification of Phytoplasma Vector Species. In: Dickinson, M., Hodgetts, J. (eds) Phytoplasma. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 938. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-089-2_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-089-2_8

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-088-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-089-2

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