Genetic Relationship Among Indian Termites Based on DNA Sequence of Mitochondrial 12S Ribosomal RNA Gene

Partial 12S gene fragments were amplified by using specific primers in nine species of termites of the genus Odontotermes, Microtermes and Microcerotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae: Macrotermitinae), and the PCR products were subjected to sequence analysis. The sequences obtained were characterized to see the frequencies of each nucleotide bases, and high A+T content was observed. The divergence of the species was found be lower within the same family, and highest with species from the family Rhinotermitidae. Phylogenetic tree drawn on the basis of distance Neighbour-joining method revealed clustering of individuals according to their genera and families.