Molecular characterization of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera) using RAPD markers

The scarab beetles belonging to family scarabaeidae were collected from different areas of faisalabad,pakistan during 2012 and analyzed for the assessment of genetic polymorphism by using random amplified polymorphic dna (rapd) markers. the amplified fragments using a total of 15 short oligonucleotide primers of arbitrary sequence showed a polymorphic banding pattern for all the species. the data generated through these bands were analyzed to construct a dendrogram by the upgma method. two main clusters were obtained (a & b); the cluster b was further subdivided into three sub-clusters. the similarity coefficient of cluster a and cluster b was found to be 57.2%. the genetic similarities of the scarab beetle species ranged from 44% to 71.0%. the scarabaeous pithecius and onthophagus atroplitus had the greatest similarity (71%). the similarity coefficient of schizonycha rufficollis and onthophagus atroplitus was the lowest one (44%). since dna polymorphisms among the collected species were high as revealed through rapd analysis,therefore,it is concluded that the genetic diversity in scarab beetle species is high in faisalabad,pakistan.