Abstract

Olajire Fagbola1+ and Mathew M. Abang2*

The rDNA 18S region of Colletotrichum circinans and C. coccodes was amplified by PCR to evaluate this DNA region as a tool for species delineation. PCR amplification of the 18S of both species produced 1.65 Kb long fragments that covered most of the entire 18S rDNA molecule. DGGE analysis of the amplified fragments distinguished C. circinans from C. coccodes isolates. This result provides molecular evidence that supports the current treatment of C. circinans as a species distinct from C. coccodes, in spite of the failure of previous attempts at genetic differentiation of the two species based on RFLP analysis of the rDNA ITS region.