Pantropical Species Research Articles

First record of Mimogonus fumator (Fauvel, 1889) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Osoriinae) in the USA, with a synopsis of the Osoriinae of the Southeastern USA

The discovery of Mimogonus fumator (Fauvel, 1889) in a suburban area in Central Florida marks the first record of this pantropical species in the United States of America. This finding emphasizes the critical significance of insect monitoring in urban environments, as it unveils the potential for detecting non-native and potentially invasive species accidentally transported through soil and ornamental plants. A taxonomic key and distributional checklist for the known species of the subfamily Osoriinae in the Southeastern United States are also provided. These resources aim to enhance our understanding of the regional insect fauna and provide useful tools for future detection.

Genetic diversity and population differentiation in Earliella scabrosa, a pantropical species of Polyporales

Earliella scabrosa is a pantropical species of Polyporales (Basidiomycota) and well-studied concerning its morphology and taxonomy. However, its pantropical intraspecific genetic diversity and population differentiation is unknown. We initiated this study to better understand the genetic variation within E. scabrosa and to test if cryptic species are present. Sequences of three DNA regions, the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), and the translation elongation factor (EF1α) were analysed for 66 samples from 15 geographical locations. We found a high level of genetic diversity (haplotype diversity, Hd = 0.88) and low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.006) across the known geographical range of E. scabrosa based on ITS sequences. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicates that the genetic variability is mainly found among geographical populations. The results of Mantel tests confirmed that the genetic distance among populations of E. scabrosa is positively correlated with the geographical distance, which indicates that geographical isolation is an important factor for the observed genetic differentiation. Based on phylogenetic analyses of combined dataset ITS-LSU-EF1α, the low intraspecific divergences (0–0.3%), and the Automated Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) analysis, E. scabrosa can be considered as a single species with five different geographical populations. Each population might be in the process of allopatric divergence and in the long-term they may evolve and become distinct species.

Enquête ethnobotanique sur les plantes médicinales utilises en Médecine Traditionnelle contre le diabète dans la partie Est de la ville de Kinshasa, République démocratique du Congo

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among traditional healers and herbalists in eastern Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) to identify medicinal plant species traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus. Fifty traditional healers and herbalists selected through the snowball sampling method were interviewed about plant species used in indigenous medicine to treat diabetes mellitus in Kinshasa city. Cited plant taxa were collected and identified at the Herbarium of the Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Kinshasa. Their ecological status was determined. Most respondents were male (58%), with a sex ratio 1.38. According to the marital status of respondents, single persons represent 42%, followed by married (32%), divorced (20%), and widowed (06%), respectively. Out of 50 persons interviewed, the most represented age group comprises individuals of ˃50 years. Most informants have a secondary school educational background (46%). In Kinshasa city, medicinal plants for treating diabetes mellitus are divided into 19 families, 25 genera, and 27 species. The culture/crop and forest plant species represent the most (37.04% each). The ecological and phytogeographical spectra revealed a predominance of trees (33.33%), microphanerophytes (48.15%), mesophytes (85.19%), sarcochores (66.67%), and pantropical species (40.74%). 68% of the population of Tshangu district in Kinshasa city uses Traditional Medicine, against 32% who are interested in modern medicine. 63% of them believe that medicinal plants can cure diabetes, 31.5% believe that plants improve their health, and 15% of the population surveyed believe that medicinal plants have side effects. The leaves are the most used part (40.74%), followed by the roots (25.93), fruits (18.52%), grains (7.41%), flowers, and stems (3.7% each). Promoting ex-situ conservation of some of these useful medicinal plants through in vitro cell culture will permit the preservation of these phyto-resources. Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, medicinal plants, ex-situ conservation, metabolic diseases, diabetes mellitus.

Enquête ethnobotanique sur les plantes médicinales utilises en Médecine Traditionnelle contre le diabète dans la partie Est de la ville de Kinshasa, République démocratique du Congo

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among traditional healers and herbalists in eastern Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) to identify medicinal plant species traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus. Fifty traditional healers and herbalists selected through the snowball sampling method were interviewed about plant species used in indigenous medicine to treat diabetes mellitus in Kinshasa city. Cited plant taxa were collected and identified at the Herbarium of the Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Kinshasa. Their ecological status was determined. Most respondents were male (58%), with a sex ratio 1.38. According to the marital status of respondents, single persons represent 42%, followed by married (32%), divorced (20%), and widowed (06%), respectively. Out of 50 persons interviewed, the most represented age group comprises individuals of ˃50 years. Most informants have a secondary school educational background (46%). In Kinshasa city, medicinal plants for treating diabetes mellitus are divided into 19 families, 25 genera, and 27 species. The culture/crop and forest plant species represent the most (37.04% each). The ecological and phytogeographical spectra revealed a predominance of trees (33.33%), microphanerophytes (48.15%), mesophytes (85.19%), sarcochores (66.67%), and pantropical species (40.74%). 68% of the population of Tshangu district in Kinshasa city uses Traditional Medicine, against 32% who are interested in modern medicine. 63% of them believe that medicinal plants can cure diabetes, 31.5% believe that plants improve their health, and 15% of the population surveyed believe that medicinal plants have side effects. The leaves are the most used part (40.74%), followed by the roots (25.93), fruits (18.52%), grains (7.41%), flowers, and stems (3.7% each). Promoting ex-situ conservation of some of these useful medicinal plants through in vitro cell culture will permit the preservation of these phyto-resources. Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, medicinal plants, ex-situ conservation, metabolic diseases, diabetes mellitus.

(2959–2960) Proposals to conserve the name Abelmoschus against Laguna, and Pavonia, nom. cons., against the additional names Malvaviscus and Malachra (Malvaceae)

(2959–2960) Proposals to conserve the name <i>Abelmoschus</i> against <i>Laguna</i>, and <i>Pavonia</i>, nom. cons., against the additional names <i>Malvaviscus</i> and <i>Malachra</i> (<i>Malvaceae</i>)

Competition for water and rapid exclusion of an island endemic by a pantropical species in a tropical climate.

Water availability has major effects on community structure and dynamics globally, yet our understanding of competition for water in the tropics is limited. On the tropical Trindade Island, we explored competition for water in the context of the rapid exclusion of an endemic sedge, Cyperus atlanticus (Cyperaceae), by a pantropical, N-fixing shrub, Guilandina bonduc (Fabaceae). Guilandina patches were generally surrounded by rings of bare soil, and dead Cyperus halos commonly surrounded these bare zones. With geo-referenced measurements, we showed that Guilandina patches and bare soil zones rapidly expanded and replaced adjacent Cyperus populations. We found that soil water potentials were much lower in bare soils than soils under Guilandina or Cyperus, and that leaf water potentials of Cyperus plants were lower when co-occurring with Guilandina than when alone. When Guilandina was removed experimentally, Cyperus populations expanded and largely covered the bare soil zones. Our results indicate that when Guilandina establishes, its root systems expand beyond its canopies and these roots pull water from soils beneath Cyperus and kill it, creating bare zone halos, and then Guilandina expands and repeats the process. This scenario indicates rapid competitive exclusion and displacement of an endemic by a common pantropical species, at least in part through competition for water.

Cetaceans and cetacean research in India

The diversity of cetacean species in Indian waters is high, with 25 species recorded so far. Records of cetaceans from India during the last 200 years have provided insights into their spatiotemporal distribution, behaviour, feeding, reproduction, fishery interaction and pollution. The cetacean fauna is dominated by pantropical species, with a relatively high abundance of spinner dolphins, which is similar to other areas studied within the northern Indian Ocean. Historical records were analysed to propose an inventory of cetaceans. Cetacean diversity was highest in the Gulf of Mannar on the southeast coast of India, which with 14 species recorded from a small area can be considered a ‘hot spot’ for further research. Fishery interactions, domestic consumption, pollution and lack of quality information to inform management are the main threats for successful survival of cetaceans. The status of information regarding cetaceans in India could be classified based on this study as: six species with adequate data; five species where data is restricted to a few geographic locations; four species for which data collection is being initiated; five species with sparse data; and six species which are difficult to observe.

Ecology of Echinops giganteus A. Rich. in Sub-Saharan Africa: Distribution, Ecoclimatic Niche, and Phytosociology

Echinops giganteus A. Rich. is an aromatic and medicinal plant of the Asteraceae family exploited in Cameroon under the access and benefit sharing (ABS) standard. Despite its importance, little information exists on the ecology of E. giganteus. The aim of the present study was to contribute to a better understanding of its ecology for sustainable management in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Occurrence data as well as stationary ecological information were collected in the field and from different databases. Bioclimatic data were extracted from the WorldClim database and processed using DIVA-GIS and Maxent software. The Braun-Blanquet quadrat method was used for the phytosociological study. Results showed that the distribution of E. giganteus in its wild state is restricted to sub-Saharan Africa. This distribution is likely conditioned by altitude (1000 m–2600 m), light, temperature, and rainfall. The bioclimatic variables that best explained this distribution were the mean annual temperature (Bio1: 38.8%) and the precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio19: 24.9%), and their favorable ranges were between 2°C–32°C and 300 mm–1800 mm, respectively. E. giganteus is a heliophilic plant that prefers well-drained substrates and would not have a requirement for organic matter. The floristic analysis of the E. giganteus community identified 68 plant species in 59 genera and 28 botanical families, with the most represented family being the Asteraceae (49%). The average species richness per quadrat was 8 species, dominated by herbs. Species consistent with E. giganteus were Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams and Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. Chamaephytes and Phanerophytes were dominant among the biological types, while the phytogeographic types were dominated by Pantropical species (38.23%). The most represented diaspore types and modes of dissemination were pogonochores (35.85%) and anemochores (55.38%).

Genomic, spatial and morphometric data for discrimination of four species in the Mediterranean Tamus clade of yams (Dioscorea, Dioscoreaceae).

Among the numerous pantropical species of the yam genus, Dioscorea, only a small group occurs in the Mediterranean basin, including two narrow Pyrenean endemics (Borderea clade) and two Mediterranean-wide species (D. communis and D. orientalis, Tamus clade). However, several currently unrecognized species and infraspecific taxa have been described in the Tamus clade due to significant morphological variation associated with D. communis. Our overarching aim was to investigate taxon delimitation in the Tamus clade using an integrative approach combining phylogenomic, spatial and morphological data. We analysed 76 herbarium samples using Hyb-Seq genomic capture to sequence 260 low-copy nuclear genes and plastomes, together with morphometric and environmental modelling approaches. Phylogenomic reconstructions confirmed that the two previously accepted species of the Tamus clade, D. communis and D. orientalis, are monophyletic and form sister clades. Three subclades showing distinctive geographic patterns were identified within D. communis. These subclades were also identifiable from morphometric and climatic data, and introgression patterns were inferred between subclades in the eastern part of the distribution of D. communis. We propose a taxonomy that maintains D. orientalis, endemic to the eastern Mediterranean region, and splits D. communis sensu lato into three species: D. edulis, endemic to Macaronesia (Canary Islands and Madeira); D. cretica, endemic to the eastern Mediterranean region; and D. communis sensu stricto, widespread across western and central Europe. Introgression inferred between D. communis s.s. and D. cretica is likely to be explained by their relatively recent speciation at the end of the Miocene, disjunct isolation in eastern and western Mediterranean glacial refugia and a subsequent westward recolonization of D. communis s.s. Our study shows that the use of integrated genomic, spatial and morphological approaches allows a more robust definition of species boundaries and the identification of species that previous systematic studies failed to uncover.

So far from home: first record of Chondromorpha xanthotricha (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) in the Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT The millipede Chondromorpha xanthotricha, supposedly native to Sri Lanka and southern India, is considered a pantropical species occurring in Southeast Asia, North America, Mesoamerica, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America. Here we report the first record of this species for Brazil, in the central Amazon region of the country, with taxonomic notes and images of male and female specimens.

DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LIANESCENT AND HERBACEOUS SPECIES OF THE BINGERVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN (SOUTH OF COTE DIVOIRE)

A floristic study was carried out in the Bingerville botanical garden, an urban green space in the south of Cote dIvoire.The objective of this study is to determine the structure and ecological profile of the lianascent and herbaceous flora, for better management of the garden. The round-the-field inventory method was carried out in 29 plots on the site.The study identified 143 species, including 32 lianas and 111 herbaceous species. The flora is divided into 103 genera grouped into 45 families.The Poaceae and Fabaceae are the dominant families with a contribution of 16.78% and 10.49% respectively of the total species recorded.This flora is characterised by the predominance of phanerophytes with 46.15%, followed by therophytes with 20.98%.As regards chorological affinity, it is mainly composed of pantropical species (26.57%) and endemic species (33.57%), which account for more than half the species (61.14%).Zoochory (62.24%) was found to be the main adaptation to the spread of species diaspores.Heliophilous pioneer species (77.34%) make up the bulk of the plant community.The quantitative analysis of this flora reveals that six species constitute potential weeds that can be very common in the botanical garden.

The Angiosperm Stem Hemiparasitic Genus Cassytha (Lauraceae) and Its Host Interactions: A Review.

Cassytha, also known as laurel dodder or love vine, is a stem hemiparasite of the Lauraceae family. It has long been used for medicinal purposes in many countries and has increasingly influenced agricultural and natural ecosystems by its effects on a wide range of host species. Previous studies have focused on the taxonomy and evolutionary position of different Cassytha, with the pan-tropical species Cassytha filiformis being the most widely studied. However, Cassytha–host interactions have never been reviewed, which is an essential issue related to the understanding of mechanisms underlying plant hemiparasitic and the assessment of benefits and damage caused by aerial parasitic plants. This review explores the parasitic habits, worldwide distribution, and host range of Cassytha, and examines its impacts on the biology of host plants and the overall influence of environmental changes on Cassytha–host associations. We also comment on areas of future research directions that require to better understanding Cassytha–host interactions. It appeared that some traits, such as flowering phenology, facilitated Cassytha’s widespread distribution and successful parasitism and that Cassytha preferred woody species rather than herbaceous species as a host, and preferred species from certain families as hosts, such as Fabaceae and Myrtaceae. Cassytha often decreased biomass and impacted the physiology of host species and global environmental changes seemed to intensify the negative impacts of Cassytha on their hosts. Cassytha was not only a noxious weed, but can also function as a biocontrol agent to mitigate alien plant invasion.

Agroforestry potential of a wild mango species (Mangifera sylvatica Roxb.)

In Bangladesh, very few native species have been incorporated into agroforestry systems, and common species are generally exotic pan-tropical species. This neglects the wealth of native genetic resources available and native species are under-valued, which can result in a lack of conservation interest in threatened species. The present study seeks to address this by considering the potential for including a locally threatened native species, Mangifera sylvatica Roxb. into the agroforestry systems of Bangladesh. We investigated farmers’ preferences, tree architecture and root competitiveness in comparison with other agroforestry species to assess the potential and to identify any barriers to use. According to farmers, M. sylvatica is a multipurpose tree species, with the main uses being for timber and provision of wild fruit. In addition, unripe fruits are sold to the pickle industry for seasonal income. The average observed height of matured M. sylvatica trees are approximately 14 m with a straight bole. The crown architecture, light quality under the canopy and root competitive index of M. sylvatica species is similar to popular agroforestry species like Mangifera indica, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Acacia auriculiformis. This indicates M. 9;/indica, A. auriculiformis and A. heterophyllus. Due to over-exploitation, illegal logging and habitat destruction, M. sylvatica is currently threatened in Bangladesh. The major barriers to use include: fruit collection being time consuming and laborious; ripe fruit quality not as good as Mangifera indica; fruits contain small amounts of flesh that often harbour insects; storage problems; irregular fruiting; and limited consumption. Farmer's preferences of wild mango are also simialr to M. indica and A. heterophyllus. Promotion of the species’ positive attributes will be necessary to develop its potential as a new native agroforestry species, which can provide a valuable conservation initiative that ultimately protects genetic diversity and quality of this native tree species.

New species and a revision of the genus Peperomia (Piperaceae) in Thailand

We update the descriptions of seventeen native species of Peperomia in Thailand, including a new species, P. ranongensis, and a detailed morphological description for the uncommon species P. kotana based on Thai specimens. We provide a generic description, a key to all the species and provide lectotypifications for P. bavina, P. heyneana, P. laticaulis, P. nakaharae and P. reflexa var. parvifolia. Five species, P. heptaphylla, P. masuthoniana, P. multisurcula, P. ranongensis and P. sirindhorniana, are endemic to Thailand. Peperomia pellucida is a common pantropical species. Eight species, namely P. cavaleriei, P. dindygulensis, P. heyneana, P. laevifolia, P. masuthoniana, P. moulmeiniana, P. multisurcula and P. sirindhorniana have a high potential for development as ornamental plants.

Thor dicaprio sp. nov., a new, conspicuously coloured shrimp from the tropical western Atlantic, with taxonomic remarks on the T. amboinensis (De Man, 1888) complex (Decapoda: Caridea: Thoridae).

Thor amboinensis (De Man, 1888), known as sexy shrimp or anemone squat shrimp and popular among divers and aquarists, was previously believed to have a worldwide distribution, with populations throughout the tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. However, consistent differences in some details of the colour pattern strongly suggest that T. amboinensis does not represent a single species, but a pantropical species complex. A recent phylogeographic analysis of T. amboinensis based on molecular data confirmed that this taxon is composed of at least five putative cryptic or pseudocryptic species. In the present study, a new cryptic species, Thor dicaprio sp. nov., is established for the western Atlantic populations previously referred to as T. amboinensis. The new species can be distinguished from all other members of the T. amboinensis complex by two differences in the colour pattern and a subtle difference in the size and setation of the appendix masculina, the latter yet to be confirmed. The conspicuous red-white banding of the antennal flagella appears to be the most diagnostic feature of the new species. In addition, T. dicaprio sp. nov. forms a genetically distinctive, homogeneous, tropical western Atlantic (TWA) clade, with the COI pairwise genetic distances from other clades ranging from 8.8% to 19.2%. The distribution of T. dicaprio sp. nov. includes the entire Caribbean Sea, parts of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Bahamas, Bermuda, as well as some offshore localities off northern and eastern Brazil. The main aspects and biology and ecological variability of T. dicaprio sp. nov. are discussed in the light of phylogeographic data presently available for the T. amboinensis complex.

A short-term study of the fertility and embryonic development of Tripneustes ventricosus off the northwest coast of Puerto Rico

Sea urchins are important sentinel species for marine biodiversity given that they help maintain coral reefs. The sea urchin species Tripneustes ventricosus is among the most abundant pantropical species, found around the world, including in the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, T. ventricosus live in the intertidal zones less than 30 m deep and showed rapid recovery, observed within 6 months, after Hurricane Maria. Despite their abundance and resilience, very little is known about their embryonic development or morphological characteristics that may shed light into their role in local coral reefs. The purpose of this project was to determine if T. ventricosus collected from a local beach could be used to study echinoid embryonic development. T. ventricosus proved to be easily collected and spawned using common laboratory techniques. Embryonic developmental timetables were similar to other known tropical sea urchin species. It is generally believed that T. ventricosus is important for the health of coral reefs in Puerto Rico, supporting the need for a more thorough understanding of the life cycle, spawning cycles and phylogeography of this species so important to coral reef survival in a changing environment.

Biochemical and Histopathological Effects of Colchicine and Moringa oleifera on Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

Liver fibrosis is the progressive accumulation of connective tissue in the liver, which can be caused by chronic liver injury of various etiologies. Moringa oleifera is a pan-tropical species is used in nurturing both animal and human as an excellent nutritive supplement. Colchicine is a plant that effective against gouty arthritis and other forms of rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever, Bechet´s disease, etc. This study thrown light on the hepatoprotecitve effects of Moringa oleifera ethanolic leaves extract and colchicine on thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Liver function tests (serum ALT, AST, ALP, and Total protein) in addition to histopathological examination of the liver were performed. This study was carried out on a total number of 42 male albino rats were collocated into seven groups (6 rats per group). The experiment lasted for two months, through which all groups except for control and control positive were given Moringa oleifera ethanolic leaves extract and colchicine. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (150 mg/kg) in groups II, V, VI &VII while other groups were injected with 0.9% normal saline of the same volume. Bodyweight was measured three times a week to detect the dose for each rat. The administration of thioacetamide leading a significant increase in serum liver enzyme level ALT, AST, ALP, and Total protein as compared to the control group, while treatment with colchicine and Moringa oleifera ethanolic leaves extract causing significant decreased serum liver enzyme level by (P<0.05) than the induced hepatic group. In general, there is no fundamental difference between groups V, VI, VII. Also revealed that the injection of thioacetamide (150 mg/kg) induced liver fibrosis characterized by a drastic decrease in total protein as compared to the control group by (P <0.05). The colchicine or Moringa oleifera ethanolic leaves extract was able to restore dysfunction. In general, the treatment with colchicine and Moringa oleifera showed good restore in biochemical function and histopathological of the liver. Also, we detected that there are no differences between them.

Echiniscidae in the Mascarenes: the wonders of Mauritius

Many regions of the world remain unexplored in terms of the tardigrade diversity, and the islands of the Indian Ocean are no exception. In this work, we report four species of the family Echiniscidae representing three genera from Mauritius, the second largest island in the Mascarene Archipelago. Two species belong in the genus Echiniscus: Echiniscus perarmatus Murray, 1907, a pantropical species, and one new species: Echiniscus insularissp. nov., one of the smallest members of the spinulosus group and the entire genus, being particularly interesting due to the presence of males and supernumerary teeth-like spicules along the margins of the dorsal plates. The new species most closely resembles Echiniscus tropicalis Binda &amp;amp; Pilato, 1995, for which we present extensive multipopulation data and greatly extend its distribution eastwards towards islands of Southeast Asia. Pseudechiniscus (Meridioniscus) mascarenensissp. nov. is a typical member of the subgenus with elongated (dactyloid) cephalic papillae and the pseudosegmental plate IV’ with reduced posterior projections in males. Finally, a Bryodelphax specimen is also recorded. The assemblage of both presumably endemic and widely distributed tardigrade species in Mauritius fits the recent emerging biogeographic patterns for this group of micrometazoans.

Phytosociology Of Echinops Giganteus In The Western Highland Of Cameroon

Echinops giganteus (Asteraceae) is a shrub native to Cameroon, and it exists in the wild state in village territories. It is of potential interest to the perfume industry and is occasionally exploited for culinary (condiment) and medicinal uses. The poor management of the natural environment of Echinops giganteus, accompanied by uncontrolled intensive agriculture, has led to several consequences. The natural vegetation and soil has also been severely degraded. A field study was conducted to investigate the floristic composition and ecological spectrum of plants that live in association with Echinops giganteus using the phytosociology approach of BraunBlanquet. Assessment of the floristic composition was done in 45 plots of 25 m² in a savannah vegetation system. Plant species identified were characterized by floristic diversity and functional traits (growth forms, life forms, diaspores types, dispersal syndromes and phytogeography). The flora consisted of 121 plant species belonging to 91 genera and 34 families. Asteraceae (24 species), Poaceae (23 species) and Fabaceae (22 species) were classified as the richest families. The species diversity indices were: Simpson (0.06), Shannon-Weaver (6.92), and Species evenness (0.70). The most frequent life forms were chamaephytes (38.93%) and the least were therophytes (12.61%). Microphylls (26.05%) was the most dominant leaf size. Anemochory (50.42%) was the dominated dispersal syndrome while the least was zoochory (13.88%). Investigation of the geographical distribution indicated that 29.41% belonged to pantropical species. Effective conservation cannot be obtained without a thorough knowledge of the ecosystems present in an area. Consistent vegetation classifications and descriptions form the basis of conservation and monitoring exercises to maintain biodiversity.

Genetic variability of Begonia longifolia Blume from Indonesia based on Nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data

Abstract.Ningrum WDA, Atmaja MB, Daryono BS, Purnomo. 2020. Genetic variability of Begonia longifolia Blume from Indonesia based on Nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data. Biodiversitas 21: 5778-5785. Begonia longifolia Blume is a member of the Begoniaceae family which has the widest distribution in Asia including Indonesia. Diversity studies on B.longifolia from Indonesia were mainly based on morphological characters. The genetic diversity analysis of this pantropical species in Indonesia has never been reported yet. This research aimed to study genetic variability of B. longifolia in Indonesia based on nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data. Twelve living specimens were from Sumatra (Lampung), Java (Sukabumi, Purwokerto), Bali (Buleleng, Gianyar, Jembrana, Tabanan), and Lombok. The 831-839 length sequence was aligned using Mesquite software. Reconstruction of the phylogenetic tree was done by MEGA7 software using Neighbor-Joining method with Kimura-2-Parameter. The 827 fixed sites showed a genetic distance ranged from 0 to 1.6%. Among the 827 sites compared, 802 sites were invariable, 19 sites were variable (11 singleton variable sites and 8 parsimony informative sites) and 6 sites were gaps. The phylogenetic tree showed 1 clade and 6 sub-clades. Specimens from Sumatra and Java formed a single sub-clade, separate with five sub-clades from Bali. Specimen from Lombok belong to one of the sub-clades of the Bali specimens. All specimens can be divided into 2 groups: Sumatra-Java and Bali-Lombok group.