TEST TO DETERMINE AN ORGANISM'S SPECIES AND/OR POPULATION IDENTITY BY DIRECT NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE ANALYSIS OF DEFINED SEGMENTS OF ITS GENOME

摘要

A method is provided for the determination of the genus, and then the species, and/or strain, and/or subspecies and/or subset of an eukaryote or a prokaryote organism, e.g. a mammal, a bird, a reptile, an amphibian, a fish or an invertebrate. The method includes the first step of isolating DNA from the sample. A defined segment of the DNA is then amplified. The nucleotide sequence of the amplified segment is then determined. That DNA sequence is then compared with a data base of DNA sequences from known species. A cladistic analysis of these sequence data is then carried out. A kit is also provided comprising a carrier; compartments within the carrier to receive one container containing DNA from the above described defined organism; a second container containing an amplified segment of the DNA from that defined organism; and a third container containing DNA sequences for a plurality of genera, and species, and/or strain, and/or subspecies and/or subset or DNA derived therefrom.