Phylogenetic relationship of Coptotermes spp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), a subterranean genus of termites, inferred from partial 16S rRNA gene

Norsyarizan, Jamil (2015) Phylogenetic relationship of Coptotermes spp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), a subterranean genus of termites, inferred from partial 16S rRNA gene. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

PDF (Please get the password by email to repository@unimas.my , or call ext: 3914 / 3942 / 3933) Norsyarizan Binti Jamil.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (15MB)

Abstract

Coptotermes genus a subterranean termite from the family Rhinotermitidae, is among the important pest in Malaysia because it gives economically impact annually and causes more than 90% damages in buildings and structure. The problem appeared when there are difficulties for Coptotermes identification that essential for proper pest management as the Coptotermes itself showed the continuous variation within the single species populations. Therefore, the phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA sequences (16S rRNA) was used to construct the phylogenetic relationship tree of Coptotermes species and to evaluate the phylogenetic relationship between the Coptotermes species. The maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and neighbour joining trees of these species were tested and studied. The available sequences for these species from GenBank were included. Coptotermes spp. from various localities in western Sarawak had distant relationship with Coptotermes spp. from various localities in Peninsular Malaysia with genetic distance value of 59% to 62%. C. curvignathus and C. carvinatus had potential to become synonym based on the similarity of the features and closed phylogenetic relationship. However, this current study required more samples of Coptotermes spp, from various locations to confirm the phylogenetic relationship. The molecular approach for Coptotermes identification believes to solve the taxonomy problems among the researchers worldwide that help to improve the termite management strategies.

Actions (For repository members only: login required)

View Item