Chromosome studies of Ichthyocotylurus platycephalus (Creplin, 1825) Odening 1969 with description of triploid variant and comparative karyology of the genus Ichthyocotylurus

This paper reports the first karyological study of trematode Ichthyocotylurus platycephalus (Creplin, 1825) Odening 1969. Chromosome number and morphology were studied in somatic cells of parthenites from intermediate host--mollusc Valvata piscinalis using an air drying technique and Giemsa staining. The karyotype consisted of 20 chromosomes comprising five pairs of subtelo-acrocentric (1st to 5th), two pairs of submeta-subtelocentric (6th-7th), one submetacentric (9th) and two pairs of metacentric chromosomes (8th, 10th). A supernumerary chromosome variation (presence/absence of B-chromosome) and occurrence of triploidy in one population of I. platycephalus are reported. In addition, the karyological analysis of Lithuanian population of I. variegatus was carried out. In the light of presented and previously obtained data comparative karyology of genus Ichthyocotylurus is discussed.     

Chaetotaxy and surface structures of the miracidia of Ichthyocotylurus erraticus (Rudolphi, 1809), I. variegatus (Creplin, 1825) and Apatemon gracilis (Szidat, 1928) (Digenea,Strigeidae)

Silver nitrate staining was used to investigate the number and arrangement of argentophillic structures (epidermal plates, sensilla, excretory pores) of three species of strigeid miracidia, Ichthyocotylurus erraticus (Rudolphi, 1809), I. variegatus (Creplin, 1825) and Apatemon gracilis (Szidat, 1928). The epidermal plates of all three species of miracidia were arranged in four tiers according to the formula (6 + 9 + 4 + 3) = 22, while the number and distribution of sensilla were also found to be identical. Modifications to the nomenclature of Dimitrov et al. (1989) for miracidial chaetotaxy are proposed.Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also employed to examine the surface structures of deciliated miracidia of Ichthyocotylurus spp., confirming the position and revealing the form of body sensilla.     

Karyological studies on three strigeid digeneans: Ichthyocotylurus erraticus (Rudolphi, 1809), I. variegatus (Creplin, 1825) and Apatemon gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819)

Previous work has shown that karyology may be a valuable technique for discriminating morphologically similar species. In the present study, chromosome number and morphology were described for three strigeid species, Ichthyocotylurus erraticus (Rudolphi, 1809), I. variegatus (Creplin, 1825) and Apatemon gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819). The results show that these species possess the same diploid number of chromosomes (2n = 20) in somatic cells. The relative length and the position of the centromere were determined, and significant inter-specific differences in the karyotypes are demonstrated, enabling the ready discrimination of I. erraticus and I. variegatus cercariae. A review of known karyotypes of the family Strigeidae suggests that possible routes of evolutionary changes involve pericentric inversions within chromosomes rather than Robertsonian translocations between elements.     

A large‐scale molecular survey of Clinostomum (Digenea,Clinostomidae)

Members of the genus Clinostomum Leidy, 1856 are parasites that mature in birds, with occasional reports in humans. Because morphological characters for reliable discrimination of species are lacking, the number of species considered valid has varied by an order of magnitude. In this study, sequences from the DNA barcode region of cytochrome c oxidase I (CO1) and/or internal transcribed spacer (ITS) from specimens from Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Kenya, China and Thailand were analysed together with published sequences from Europe, Africa, Indonesia and North America. Although ITS and CO1 distances among specimens were strongly correlated, distance‐based analysis of each marker yielded different groups. Putative species indicated by CO1 distances were consistent with available morphological identifications, while those indicated by ITS conflicted with morphological identifications in three cases. There was little overlap in sequence variation within and between species, particularly for CO1. Although ITS and CO1 distances tended to increase in specimens that were further apart geographically, this did not impair distance‐based species delineation. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a deep division between clades of Clinostomum inhabiting the New World and Old World, which parallels the distribution of their principal definitive hosts, the Ardeidae.     

CONSPECIFICITY AND INDO-PACIFIC DISTRIBUTION OF SYMBIODINIUM GENOTYPES (DINOPHYCEAE) FROM GIANT CLAMS

We previously reported the occurrence of genetically‐diverse symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) within and between 7 giant clam species (Tridacnidae) from the Philippines based on the algal isolates' allozyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns. We also reported that these isolates all belong to clade A of the Symbiodinium phylogeny with identical 18S rDNA sequences. Here we extend the genetic characterization of Symbiodinium isolates from giant clams and propose that they are conspecific. We used the combined DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1, 5.8S rDNA, and ITS2 regions (rDNA‐ITS region) because the ITS1 and ITS2 regions evolve faster than 18S rDNA and have been shown to be useful in distinguishing strains of other dinoflagellates. DGGE of the most variable segment of the rDNA‐ITS region, ITS1, from clonal representatives of clades A, B, and C showed minimal intragenomic variation. The rDNA‐ITS region shows similar phylogenetic relationships between Symbiodinium isolates from symbiotic bivalves and some cnidarians as does 18S rDNA, and that there are not many different clade A species or strains among cultured zooxanthellae (CZ) from giant clams. The CZ from giant clams had virtually identical sequences, with only a single nucleotide difference in the ITS2 region separating two groups of isolates. These data suggest that there is one CZ species and perhaps two CZ strains, each CZ strain containing individuals that have diverse allozyme and RAPD genotypes. The CZ isolated from giant clams from different areas in the Philippines (21 isolates, 7 clam species), the Australian Great Barrier Reef (1 isolate, 1 clam species), Palau (8 isolates, 7 clam species), and Okinawa, Japan (1 isolate, 1 clam species) shared the same rDNA‐ITS sequences. Furthermore, analysis of fresh isolates from giant clams collected from these geographical areas shows that these bivalves also host indistinguishable clade C symbionts. These data demonstrate that conspecific Symbiodinium genotypes, particularly clade A symbionts, are distributed in giant clams throughout the Indo‐Pacific.     

Identification of genes suitable for DNA barcoding of morphologically indistinguishable Korean Halichondriidae sponges

The development of suitable genetic markers would be useful for defining species and delineating the species boundaries of morphologically indistinguishable sponges. In this study, genetic variation in the sequences of nuclear rDNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 3 (CO1 and CO3) regions were compared in morphologically indistinguishable Korean Halichondriidae sponges in order to determine the most suitable species-specific molecular marker region. The maximal congeneric nucleotide divergences of Halichondriidae sponges in CO1 and CO3 are similar to those found among anthozoan cnidarians, but they are 2- to 8-fold lower than those found among genera of other triploblastic metazoans. Ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS: ITS1 + ITS2) showed higher congeneric variation (17.28% in ITS1 and 10.29% in ITS2) than those of CO1 and CO3. Use of the guidelines for species thresholds suggested in the recent literature indicates that the mtDNA regions are not appropriate for use as species-specific DNA markers for the Halichondriidae sponges, whereas the rDNA ITS regions are suitable because ITS exhibits a low level of intraspecific variation and a relatively high level of interspecific variation. In addition, to test the reliability of the ITS regions for identifying Halichondriidae sponges by PCR, a species-specific multiplex PCR primer set was developed.     

Genotypic Diversity among Brazilian Isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii

Thirty isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. from different hosts and regions of Brazil were studied in relation to morphology, mycelial compatibility, analysis of genomic DNA through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), variation within the nuclear rDNA [internal transcribed spacers (ITS)] and sequencing of ITS fragments. There was considerable variability among isolates in relation to the number, size and location of sclerotia on the medium surface. Thirteen mycelial compatibility groups (MCG) were identified among 23 isolates. Seven isolates were only self‐compatible. With the exception of group 3, where all the isolates came from soybean, there was no apparent correlation between group and isolate origin. On the basis of RAPD profiles, 11 haplotypes (A to K) were identified. There was an association between the RAPD groups and MCG. Haplotypes A, B, D, G, I and K belonged to MCG groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. All other RAPD haplotypes contained incompatible isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with primers 4R and 5F amplified two fragments containing ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8 S rDNA sequences, that were present in all isolates, with molecular sizes of 739 and 715 bp. Restriction analysis of PCR products showed that the two fragments had sequence divergency which is referred to as ‘ITS types’. Four arbitrarily chosen soybean isolates (2, 6, 7 and 23) and two non‐soybean isolates (11 and 22) were used to investigate the variation within the ITS sequence and its role in the phylogeny. The strict consensus of nine most‐parsimonious trees inferred from the data set which included six isolates of S. rolfsii, four of which have two different ‘ITS types’, showed three well‐supported groupings. The neighbour‐joining tree inferred from the data set also showed three major clades as did the parsimony tree. The major difference was that in the neighbour‐joining tree the ‘ITS type’ 11 was resolved and grouped in one clade. These results show that the ‘ITS types’ within isolates are almost always phylogenetically distinct. There was no clear correlation between ITS‐based phylogeny and isolate origin.     

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA and Polymerase Chain Reaction Markers for the Differentiation and Detection of Stenocarpella maydis in Maize Seeds

The genetic relationship of 34 isolates of Stenocarpella maydis from different geographic regions in South Africa was analysed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and ribosomal DNA markers. Two genetic groups were differentiated by using three RAPD primers and correlated to the cultural morphology of the isolates. Of all the isolates tested, 79.4% were clustered into RAPD group I (RG I), which did not sporulate when cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C for 10 days. The rest of the isolates designated as RG II sporulated on PDA medium and showed a higher genetic variation. Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the universal primers, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS 4. Restriction digestion of PCR products displayed three types (RF A, RF B and RF C) of profiles. RF A was in accordance with RG I. RF B was consistent with RG II except for one isolate, U5. However, U5 displayed a unique profile and had no restriction sites for Hpa II and Hae III. The results indicate that two distinct genetic groups exist among S. maydis isolates from maize in S. Africa. The ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rDNA were sequenced and primers were designed. The designed primer pair P1/P2 permitted a sensitive and specific detection of S. maydis .     

Assessing the potential of regions of the nuclear and mitochondrial genome to develop a "molecular tool box" for the detection and characterization of Phytophthora species

Four different intergenic regions of mitochondrial DNA (mt-IGS), a fragment of the intergenic spacer (IGS) region of the rDNA (rDNA-IGS), and a fragment of the ras-related protein (Ypt1) gene were amplified and sequenced from a panel of 31 Phytophthora species representing the most significant forest pathogens and the breadth of diversity in the genus. Over 80 kbp of novel sequences were generated and alignments showed very variable (introns and non-coding regions) as well as conserved coding regions. The mitochondrial DNA regions had an AT/GC ratio ranging from 67.2 to 89.0% and were appropriate for diagnostic development and phylogeographic analysis. The IGS fragment was less variable but still appropriate to discriminate amongst some important forest pathogens. The introns of the Ypt1 gene were sufficiently polymorphic for the development of molecular markers for almost all Phytophthora species, with more conserved flanking coding regions appropriate for the design of Phytophthora genus-specific primers. In general, phylogenetic analysis of the sequence alignments grouped species in clades that matched those based on the ITS regions of the rDNA. In many cases the resolution was improved over ITS but in other cases sequences were too variable to align accurately and yielded phylograms inconsistent with other data. Key studies on the intraspecific variation and primer specificity remain. However the research has already yielded an enormous dataset for the identification, detection and study of the molecular evolution of Phytophthora species.     

Genetic differentiation of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. truncatum associated with Anthracnose disease of papaya (Carica papaya L.) and bell pepper (Capsium annuum L.) based on ITS PCR-RFLP fingerprinting

Members of the genus Colletotrichum include some of the most economically important fungal pathogens in the world. Accurate diagnosis is critical to devising disease management strategies. Two species, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. truncatum, are responsible for anthracnose disease in papaya (Carica papaya L.) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Trinidad. The ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 region of 48 Colletotrichum isolates was sequenced, and the ITS PCR products were analyzed by PCR-RFLP analysis. Restriction site polymorphisms generated from 11 restriction enzymes enabled the identification of specific enzymes that were successful in distinguishing between C. gloeosporioides and C. truncatum isolates. Species-specific restriction fragment length polymorphisms generated by the enzymes AluI, HaeIII, PvuII, RsaI, and Sau3A were used to consistently resolve C. gloeosporioides and C. truncatum isolates from papaya. AluI, ApaI, PvuII, RsaI, and SmaI reliably separated isolates of C. gloeosporioides and C. truncatum from bell pepper. PvuII, RsaI, and Sau3A were also capable of distinguishing among the C. gloeosporioides isolates from papaya based on the different restriction patterns that were obtained as a result of intra-specific variation in restriction enzyme recognition sites in the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 rDNA region. Of all the isolates tested, C. gloeosporioides from papaya also had the highest number of PCR-RFLP haplotypes. Cluster analysis of sequence and PCR-RFLP data demonstrated that all C. gloeosporioides and C. truncatum isolates clustered separately into species-specific clades regardless of host species. Phylograms also revealed consistent topologies which suggested that the genetic distances for PCR-RFLP-generated data were comparable to that of ITS sequence data. ITS PCR-RFLP fingerprinting is a rapid and reliable method to identify and differentiate between Colletotrichum species.     

Intraspecific and within-isolate sequence variation in the ITS rRNA gene region of Pythium mercuriale sp. nov. (Pythiaceae)

Sixteen Pythium isolates from diverse hosts and locations, which showed similarities in their morphology and sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of their rRNA gene, were investigated. As opposed to the generally accepted view, within single isolates ITS sequence variations were consistently found mostly as part of a tract of identical bases (A-T) within ITS1, and of GT or GTTT repeats within the ITS2 sequence. Thirty-one different ITS sequences obtained from 39 cloned ITS products from the 16 isolates showed high sequence and length polymorphisms within and between isolates. However, in a phylogenetic analysis, they formed a cluster distinct from those of other Pythium species. Additional sequencing of two nuclear genes (elongation factor 1 alpha and beta-tubulin) and one mitochondrial gene (nadh1) revealed high levels of heterozygosity as well as polymorphism within and between isolates, with some isolates possessing two or more alleles for each of the nuclear genes. In contrast to the observed variation in the ITS and other gene areas, all isolates were phenotypically similar. Pythium mercuriale sp. nov. (Pythiaceae) is characterized by forming thin-walled chlamydospores, subglobose to obovoid, papillate sporangia proliferating internally and smooth-walled oogonia surrounded by multiple antheridia. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses based on both ITS and beta-tubulin sequence data place P. mercuriale in a clade between Pythium and Phytophthora.     

Molecular evidence for the synonymy of two species of Apatemon Szidat, 1928, A. gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819) and A. annuligerum (von Nordmann, 1832) (Digenea: Strigeidae) parasitic as metacercariae in British fishes

The current study examined rDNA (internal transcribed spacer regions, ITS1 and ITS2) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) sequence data of Apatemon annuligerum (originating from two geographical locations) and A. gracilis metacercariae (originating from four natural piscine hosts) to determine the systematic status of these two strigeid digeneans. With the exception of short repeat motifs, the ITS1 regions sequenced demonstrated no intra- or inter-specific sequence variation. ITS2 sequences were 292 bp and CO1 sequences 366 bp in length and identical for both nominal Apatemon species. These sequence data provide strong evidence that the two species are con-specific and that A. annuligerum should be regarded as a junior synonym of A. gracilis.     

Identification of Cyst Nematodes of Agronomic and Regulatory Concern with PCR-RFLP of ITS1

The first internally transcribed spacer region (ITS1) from cyst nematode species (Heteroderidae) was compared by nucleotide sequencing and PCR-RFLP. European, Asian, and North American isolates of five heterodefid species were examined to assess intraspecific variation. PCR-RFLP patterns of amplified ITS1 DNA from pea cyst nematode, Heterodera goettingiana, from Northern Ireland were identical with patterns from Washington State. Sequencing demonstrated that ITS1 heterogeneity existed within individuals and between isolates, but did not result in different restriction patterns. Three Indian and two U.S. isolates of the corn cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae, were compared. Sequencing detected variation among ITS1 clones from the same individual, between individuals, and between isolates. PCR-RFLP detected several restriction site differences between Indian and U.S. isolates. The basis for the restriction site differences between isolates from India and the U.S. appeared to be the result of additional, variant ITS1 regions amplified from the U.S. isolates, which were not found in the three India isolates. PCR-RFLP from individuals of the U.S. isolates created a composite pattern derived from several ITS1 types. A second primer set was specifically designed to permit discrimination between soybean (H. glycines) and sugar beet (H. schachtii) cyst nematodes. Fok I digestion of amplified product from soybean cyst nematode isolates displayed a uniform pattern, readily discernible from the pattern of sugar beet and clover cyst nematode (H. trifolii).     

Pseudo-nitzschia pungens (Bacillariophyceae): A cosmopolitan diatom species?

Genetic, reproductive and morphological variation were studied in 193 global strains of the marine diatom species Pseudo-nitzschia pungens (Grunow ex Cleve) Hasle to assess potential intraspecific variation and biogeographic distribution patterns. Genetic differentiation between allo- and sympatric strains was investigated using the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 rDNA region. Three ITS clades were found. Clones of opposite mating type were sexually compatible within clades I or II, and viable F1 hybrid offspring were produced in crosses between them. The molecular differences between these clades were correlated with slight but consistent morphological differences. At present, nothing can be said about morphology and mating behavior for clade III clones because only ITS data were available. The three ITS clades showed different geographic distributions. Clade II was restricted to the NE Pacific, whereas clones belonging to clade III originated from geographically widely separated areas (Vietnam, China and Mexico). ITS clade I was recovered in all locations studied: the North Sea (Belgium, The Netherlands, France), the eastern and western N Atlantic (Spain, Canada), the NW and S Pacific (Japan, New Zealand) and the NE Pacific (Washington State). Clade I thus appears to be globally distributed in temperate coastal areas and provides the first strong evidence to date for the global distribution of a biologically, genetically and morphologically defined diatom species.     

Extensive pyrosequencing reveals frequent intra-genomic variations of internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA

Background

Internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) is already one of the most popular phylogenetic and DNA barcoding markers. However, the existence of its multiple copies has complicated such usage and a detailed characterization of intra-genomic variations is critical to address such concerns.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, we used sequence-tagged pyrosequencing and genome-wide analyses to characterize intra-genomic variations of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions from 178 plant species. We discovered that mutation of ITS2 is frequent, with a mean of 35 variants per species. And on average, three of the most abundant variants make up 91% of all ITS2 copies. Moreover, we found different congeneric species share identical variants in 13 genera. Interestingly, different species across different genera also share identical variants. In particular, one minor variant of ITS2 in Eleutherococcus giraldii was found identical to the ITS2 major variant of Panax ginseng, both from Araliaceae family. In addition, DNA barcoding gap analysis showed that the intra-genomic distances were markedly smaller than those of the intra-specific or inter-specific variants. When each of 5543 variants were examined for its species discrimination efficiency, a 97% success rate was obtained at the species level.

Conclusions

Identification of identical ITS2 variants across intra-generic or inter-generic species revealed complex species evolutionary history, possibly, horizontal gene transfer and ancestral hybridization. Although intra-genomic multiple variants are frequently found within each genome, the usage of the major variants alone is sufficient for phylogeny construction and species determination in most cases. Furthermore, the inclusion of minor variants further improves the resolution of species identification.     

小克银汉霉核糖体DNA PCR扩增产物的限制性片段长度多型性(英文)

应用一对寡核苷酸引物ITS1与ITS4对核DNAG＋C百分数小于30％的小克银汉霉（Cunninghamella）属的核糖体DNA（rDNA）内转录间区（YTS）进行了扩增。测试的属于10个种和变种的22株菌都得到了扩增产物。在同属不同种之间扩增的ITS片段长度有巨大差别。据此可分为三组。这三组所含分类群数及其DNA长度分别为;第一组4种1变种,小于764碱基对（bp）;第二组2种,765～824bp;第三组2种1变种,大于825bp。所研究的许多种中,特别是第三组,单凭其PCR产物的长度就能区分开来。但在第一、二组就需借助限制性内切酶的分析才能予以区分。我们选用了RsaI,TaqI;Tru9I,和HinfI4种限制性内切酶,对所有扩增产物进行了限制性片段长度多型性（RFLPs）的分析。在雅致小克银汉霉（Celegans）、巴西玉蕊小克银汉霉（Cbertholletiae）、和布拉氏霉（Cblakesleeana）各种的限制性酶切图谱,种内非常一致而种与种之间有差别。反之,在某些种其限制性酶切图谱不仅种间互不相同,在种内不同株之间也出现1～3种酶切图型的差异。在这种情况下,只能综合各种资料才能将它们区分开来。本研究肯定了PCR－RFLP在区分小克银汉霉种和变种上的意义,并发现种内个体的差异。这在我们后来所进行的序列分析研究中得到了进一步的证实。     

Assessment of phylogenetic inter-relationships in the genus Cymbidium (Orchidaceae) based on internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA

Sequence data obtained from nrITS region were used to assess phylogenetic inter-relationships and infrageneric classification of ten Cymbidium species collected from north-east India. The final aligned data matrix of combined ITS 1, 5.8S and ITS 2 yielded 684 characters. The ITS 1 and ITS 2 regions showed variable sequence lengths and G + C content (%). The 5.8S region was found to be more conserved (98.71%) followed by ITS 1 (86.12%) and ITS 2 (69.40%). ITS 2 recorded highest percentage of parsimony informative sites (7.46%), high sequence divergence with indels (24.63%), high number of transitions and transversions. ITS sequence data determined the phylogeny of Asiatic Cymbidiums with high bootstrap values. All three proposed subgenera could be distinguished clearly by all four (MP, ML, NJ, and BI) phylogenetic methods. This study validates the utility of ITS rDNA region as a reliable indicator of phylogenetic relationships, especially ITS 2 as probable DNA barcode at higher levels and can serve as an additional approach for identification of broader range of plant taxa especially orchids.     

Molecular genetic variation within and among isolates of QPX (Thraustochytridae), a parasite of the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria

The thraustochytrid known as QPX (Quahog Parasite Unknown) has sporadically caused disease in the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria along the east coast of North America since the 1960s. We hypothesized that genetically distinct QPX strains might be responsible for outbreaks of QPX disease in different areas and tested this hypothesis by comparing several QPX isolates recovered from the recent outbreak in Raritan Bay, New York with QPX strains isolated from 2 outbreaks in Massachusetts, USA. There was no variation in small subunit rDNA (SSU rDNA), 5.8S rDNA, or 4 mitochondrial gene sequences. In contrast, both of the ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) operon intergenic spacers, internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2), revealed substantial sequence variation. However, strain-specific sequences were not detected because the ITS sequence variation within QPX isolates was comparable to the variation between isolates. ITS1 sequences recovered from an infected clam by amplification with a QPX ITS2-specific primer were identical to those recovered from the QPX isolates.     

Leishmania donovani: intraspecific polymorphisms of Sudanese isolates revealed by PCR-based analyses and DNA sequencing

Four polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approaches were used to analyze diversity within 23 Sudanese isolates of Leishmania donovani. Methods compared were fingerprinting with single nonspecific primers, restriction analysis of the amplified ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) locus, single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and sequencing of the ITS region. When PCR fingerprinting and restriction analysis of ITS were applied, highly similar fragment patterns were observed for all strains of L. donovani studied. The ITS1 locus gave five different SSCP profiles among the 23 Sudanese isolates, whereas the ITS2 locus was highly conserved with the exception of 1 isolate. Strains of L. donovani derived from other geographical areas were found to have different ITS2 patterns. SSCP analysis correlated well with results of DNA sequencing and confirmed that SSCP was able to detect genetic diversity at the level of a single nucleotide. SSCP had advantages over the other methods employed for investigation of sequence variation within the species L. donovani. There was no correlation between the form of clinical manifestation of the disease and the PCR fingerprinting, ITS-RFLP, or ITS-SSCP characteristics.