Abstract
The systematic relationship existing among members of the all important genus Jatropha was studied using leaf protein electrophoresis. The aim was to identify possible taxonomic importance of the protein profile in the estimation and elucidation of the taxonomic affinity of the six species of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas Linn., J. podagrica Hook., J. gossypifolia Linn., J. mutifida Linn., J. tanjorensis Ellis & Saroja and J. integerrima Linn.) found in Nigeria. The species were screened for total protein banding patterns using gel electrophoresis. Young leaves (0.8 g) of the plants were washed with distilled water and macerated with sterile mortar and pestle in 0.8% Phosphate Buffer-Saline (PBS) containing 0.4 M NaCl at pH 8.0. Results reveal that protein banding pattern was taxon specific. Generic band occurs at 8.3. The highest number of interspecific bands (4) exists between J. podagrica and J. multifida. Variations exist not only in the number of bands but also in the intensity of the bands. Sokal and Sneath coefficient of similarity ranges between 11.1-44.4 %. Single linkage Cluster Analysis (SLCA) of the relative mobility values of the protein in the taxa shows partial agreement with current sub generic and sectional delimitation of the species based on morphology and anatomy of the species.
Highlights
The genus Jatropha, which belongs to the tribe Crotonae consists of c.175 species (Olowokudejo, 1993) which are mostly trees, rhizomatous sub shrubs and suffrutescent herbs (Dehgan, 1984 cited by Prabakaran and Sujatha, 1999)
Curcas (Adans.) Pax]) to be the most primitive form of the genus Jatropha and that species in other sections evolved from the physic nut or another ancestral form, with changes in growth habit and flower structures
Young leaves (0.8 g) of the plants were washed with distilled water and macerated with sterile mortar and pestle in 0.8% phosphate buffer-saline (PBS) containing 0.4 M NaCl at pH 8.0
Summary
The genus Jatropha, which belongs to the tribe Crotonae consists of c.175 species (Olowokudejo, 1993) which are mostly trees, rhizomatous sub shrubs and suffrutescent herbs (Dehgan, 1984 cited by Prabakaran and Sujatha, 1999). Dehgan and Webster (1982) observed that a number of the species in the genus are long petiolate but a few taxa are sub sessile species with broad leaves and have palmate venation as against pinnate venation. Curcas (Adans.) Pax]) to be the most primitive form of the genus Jatropha and that species in other sections evolved from the physic nut or another ancestral form, with changes in growth habit and flower structures.
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