A PCR primer set for determination of phylogenetic relationships of Bursaphelenchus species within the xylophilus group

The phylogenetic relationships of Bursaphelenchus conicaudatus with B. abruptus, B. fraudulentus, B. mucronatus and B. xylophilus species were analysed based on the DNA base sequences of 18S, 5.8S, ITS1 and ITS2 of rDNA and the partial code of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The monophyly of B. abruptus and the other species in the xylophilus group was not supported, and B. abruptus could be excluded from the xylophilus group. The other species, i.e., B. conicaudatus, B. fraudulentus, B. mucronatus and B. xylophilus were assumed to be monophyletic. The ancestor of these four species is assumed to have originated in the eastern part of the Eurasian continent as a free-living nematode inhabiting broad-leaved trees. First, B. conicaudatus branched from the ancestor in eastern Asia. Then B.fraudulentus and B. mucronatus separated from the ancestor. B. mucronatus changed its host from broad-leaved trees to conifers and spread throughout the coniferous forest over the Eurasian continent and North America. B. xylophilus might originate from a population of B. mucronatus remaining in North America after B. mucronatus had diversified.