Identification of cecidophyopsis mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) based on variable simple sequence repeats of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer-1 sequences via multiplex PCR.

A PCR multiplex technique was developed for identifying Cecidophyopsis mites using species-specific differences in rDNA ITS-1 sequences. Four PCR primers derived from ITS-1 were used for the simultaneous amplification (multiplex PCR) of interspecifically variable simple sequence repeats (vSSRs). Mites were identified by electrophoresing PCR products alongside those obtained from plasmids containing ITS copies of known mite species. The multiplex PCR assay was rapid, reproducible and had a sensitivity comparable to sequencing. It was used to identify mite specimens on Ribes from around the world. It also identified a profile from mites on R. rubrum that had no equivalent amongst the known Cecidophyopsis species. Sequence and ecological analysis of this mite suggest that it is a new species of nongall-forming Cecidophyopsis mite.