Novel primers for the amplification of nuclear DNA introns in the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and their cross-amplification in seven other Heterorhabditis species.

We describe 24 novel primers that amplify intron regions in housekeeping and structural genes of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. The cross-amplification potential of these primers in seven other Heterorhabditis species was determined. The results obtained showed interspecific nucleotide, length and splice site variability in the sequenced introns and for one gene, an intron gain was observed. These primers will be useful tools for studying population genetics, genetic diversity and intron DNA evolution within the genus Heterorhabditis and other genera of rhabditid nematodes.