Molecular characterization of Cotugnia polycantha (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Davaineidae) infecting doves (Streptopelia senegalensis) and pigeons (Columba livia Domestica) from Egypt

The genomic DNA was extracted from cestode parasites, Cotugnia polycantha from two different hosts, doves (Streptoplia senegalensis) and pigeons (Columba livia domestica). The random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) was applied to differentiate between C. polycantha infecting doves and pigeons. Eight primers of arbitrary sequences were used in the PCR reactions. The eight primers screened gave total amplified fragment markers 133. The total number of unique bands was 25 and the highest polymorphism percentage (63.63\%) was obtained among the two specimens. Molecular analysis of the present data, showed that C. polycantha infecting doves (S. senegalensis) differs from that infecting pigeons (C. livia domestica). So, C. polycantha infecting doves could be named C. polycantha streptopeli and C. polycantha infecting pigeons, C. polycantha columbi. {[}Sabry E. Ahmed. Molecular Characterization of Cotugnia polycantha (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Davaineidae) Infecting Doves (Streptopelia senegalensis) and Pigeons (Columba livia Domestica) from Egypt. Life Science Journal 2012; 9(1):295-301]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 42