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Analysis of intragenomic variation of the rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) in Halichondrida (Porifera: Demospongiae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2007

Belinda Alvarez ,
Mahima Krishnan  and
Karen Gibb
Belinda Alvarez
Affiliation:
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, PO Box 4646, Darwin, NT, 0801, Australia
Mahima Krishnan
Affiliation:
Charles Darwin University, Faculty of Health, Education and Science, Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia
Karen Gibb
Affiliation:
Charles Darwin University, Faculty of Health, Education and Science, Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia
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Abstract

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Three species of sponges, Axinella aruensis, Phakellia sp. and Acanthella cavernosa, were selected to investigate the extent of intragenomic variation (IGV) in the internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) of the ribosomal DNA within the order Halichondrida. The IGV was detected in both the spacers and in the three species. At least three non-identical sequences were found in any single individual with the number of polymorphic sites within species ranging from 6 to 77. Uncorrected distance values up to 29% were observed in the ITS-2 of Axinella aruensis. The levels of polymorphism found in this species are the highest reported for Porifera and comparable to those observed in hybrid species of scleractinean corals. Analyses of ITS sequences from multiple clones from individuals of Halichondrida are strongly recommended if these genetic markers are to be used to depict phylogenetic and/or phylogeographic relationships of closely related species and their populations. Data from other nuclear and mitochondrial markers should be used to complement conclusions derived from studies based on ITS sequences.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 87 , Issue 6 , December 2007 , pp. 1599 - 1605
Copyright
2007 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom