Revista de Biodiversidade, Bioprospecção e Desenvolvimento

Diversity of Subterranean Termites in South India Based on COI Gene

Abstract

Srinivasa murthy KS, Yeda lubna banu, Ramakrishna P

The diversity of subterranean termites collected from various locations in South India were characterised based on the COI gene using specific primers. Sequence analysis and divergence among the species was assessed. Genbank accession numbers were obtained for the different species. Phylogenetic tree based on neighbour- joining method was drawn on the basis of multiple sequence alignment, which revealed clustering of individuals according to the genera. Among the species, Odontotermes longignathus was more prevalent than others. The utility of COI gene to study the systematics of termites, their evolution and relatedness that would have implication on their management is discussed.