Intra-specific variation within Eimeria tenella detected by the random amplification of polymorphic DNA

The random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD method) was used to derive fragments of DNA of the coccidial parasite Eimeria tenella for use both as genetic markers and as an aid for the discrimination of different wild-type and attenuated populations. Of 41 arbitrarily chosen 9- to 27-mer primers, 24 yielded useful arrays of fragments following low-stringency annealing conditions and the resultant profiles were generally very reproducible. One non-variant fragment of 2 kb hybridised to a single chromosome (number 12) and four variant fragments were identified. These results strongly suggest that the RAPD method may be an extremely useful tool for studies on various aspects of the genetic organisation of coccidial parasites.