Molecular Analysis (RAPD-PCR) of Inter-strain Hybrids of the Paramecium aurelia Species Complex (Ciliophora, Protozoa)

RAPD-PCR analysis showed that species of the Paramecium aurelia complex possessed characteristic band patterns and that the majority were also polymorphic intra-specifically. A comparison of band patterns was performed for some inter-strain hybrids within P. primaurelia, P. tetraurelia, P. pentaurelia, P. septaurelia, P. octaurelia, P. decaurelia, P. dodecaurelia, P. tredecaurelia, and P. quadecaurelia to band patterns characteristic for the parental strains. The investigations, however, did not reveal a close correlation between the degree of inbreeding characteristic for the species and similarity of genotypes. A low similarity of hybrid and parental band patterns was observed in P. octaurelia, P. dodecaurelia, P. quadecaurelia and also P. primaurelia. A high similarity of band patterns of hybrid and parental strains was found in P. tetraurelia, P. septaurelia, P. decaurelia, and P. tredecaurelia.