Abstract
DNA barcoding has been used as a universal tool for phylogenetic inferences and diversity assessments, especially in poorly studied species and regions. The aim of this study was to contrast morphological taxonomy and DNA barcoding, using the three frequently used markers matK, rbcL, and trnL-F, to assess the efficiency of DNA barcoding in the identification of dipterocarps in Sumatra, Indonesia. The chloroplast gene matK was the most polymorphic among these three markers with an average interspecific genetic distance of 0.020. The results of the molecular data were mostly in agreement with the morphological identification for the clades of Anthoshorea, Hopea, Richetia, Parashorea, and Anisoptera, nonetheless these markers were inefficient to resolve the relationships within the Rubroshorea group. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenies identified Shorea as a paraphyletic genus, Anthoshorea appeared as sister to Hopea, and Richetia was sister to Parashorea. A better discriminatory power among dipterocarp species provided by matK and observed in our study suggests that this marker has a higher evolutionary rate than the other two markers tested. However, a combination of several different barcoding markers is essential for reliable identification of the species at a lower taxonomic level.
Highlights
The Dipterocarpaceae family consists of approximately 680 species that are commonly placed in the two subfamilies, Monotoideae (~30 species in Africa and Madagascar, and the monotypic Pseudomonotes in Colombia) and Dipterocarpoideae, which hold the majority of species and are confined to the eastern tropics from India to New Guinea [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The matK marker was efficient to identify samples at species level for the specimens belonging to the groups Anthoshorea, Hopea, Richetia, and Parashorea
The joint use of DNA barcoding markers rbcL and matK is a reliable tool for identification of land plants from Sumatra, Indonesia and the addition of further markers, such as the trnL-F marker, provide better node support of the lineages
Summary
The Dipterocarpaceae family consists of approximately 680 species that are commonly placed in the two subfamilies, Monotoideae (~30 species in Africa and Madagascar, and the monotypic Pseudomonotes in Colombia) and Dipterocarpoideae, which hold the majority of species and are confined to the eastern tropics from India to New Guinea [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Members of the Dipterocarpoideae dominate the diverse rainforests of Sundaland, often with many co-occurring species [7]. Due to their high abundance, mechanical wood-properties, and tall stature, they provide some of the most valued and abundant sources of tropical hardwood, and at the same time are significant stores of aboveground carbon [8]. Dipterocarps are of great ecological and economic importance [6], and understanding their diversity is necessary to advance our general knowledge of Southeast Asian rainforests. For effective conservation of the threatened species and genetic diversity of the Dipterocarpaceae, it is important to understand their species-level taxonomy as well as their origin and the evolutionary processes that have led to the astonishing diversity of the family
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
