Molecular characterization of Steinernema pakistanense (Nematoda Steinernematidae) strain isolated from India

Nematodes that parasitize insects are known as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). Molecular identification and genotyping of entomopathogenic nematodes are prerequisites for their proper classification, biodiversity studies, and their potential use in biological control programs. In the present study, a strain of entomopathogenic nematodes was isolated from the cultivated lands in Meerut region of western Uttar Pradesh. This strain was named CCS-EPN14S. The ITS region of rDNA of CCS-EPN-14S was successfully amplified using species specific primers by Vrain et. al. [22] and then subjected to sequencing. Sequence alignment of ITS region of CCS-EPN-14S showed maximum identity with S. pakistanense (99.0%) [20] and formed a highly supported clade with S. pakistanense. The base sequence (1-1205 bp) of this steinernematid isolate has been deposited in GenBank, NCBI, under the name of Steinernema sp. 14Schhav vide accession no. KJ820773.