Phylogenetic Study of African Combretaceae R. Br. based on rbcL Sequence

Authors

  • Alfred Ossai Onefeli 1. Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 2. Erasmus exchange Scholar, Vytautas Magnus University
  • Vidmantas Stanys 3Department of Orchard Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Babtai, LT-54333 Kaunas distr, Lithuania.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46490/vol25iss2pp170

Abstract

Combretaceae is an angiosperm family of high economic value. However, there is dearth of information on the phylogenetic relationship of the members of this family using ribulose biphosphate carboxylase (rcbL) gene. Previous studies with electrophoretic-based and morphological markers revealed that this family is phylogenetically complex.

In the present study, 79 sequences of rbcL were used to study the phylogenetic relationship among the members of Combretaceae of African origin with a view to provide more information required for the utilization and management of this family. Multiple Sequence alignment was executed using the MUSCLE component of Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Version X Analysis (MEGA X). Transition/Transversion ratio, Consistency index, Retention Index and Composite Index were also determined. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using Maximum parsimony (MP) and Neighbor joining methods.

The alignment of rcbL in the family Combretaceae shows 0.59 for both variation and parsimony sites with the overall mean distance of 0.71. Result shows that the genera Combretum, Terminalia are polyphyletic, while Conocarpus, Quisqualis and Meiostemon are monophyletic.

Findings from this study can be applied to the scientific classification of the African Combretaceae, especially where morphological and electrophoretic-based molecular delimitation have failed. rbcL from this family can also be used as barcodes against drug adulteration of the medicinal species.

Author Biography

Alfred Ossai Onefeli, 1. Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 2. Erasmus exchange Scholar, Vytautas Magnus University

Mr Alfred O. ONEFELI is an Assistant Lecturrer and a Ph.D candidate (Forest Taxonomy and Agroforestry) in the Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He sis currently an Erasmus+ Scholar under the supervision of Prof. V. Stanys in the Institute of Agricultural and Food Science Vytautas Magnus University, Agricultural Academy. 

He has published about seventeen (17) articles in refreed Journals and Proceedings to his credit in Forestry. His research interest includes: Forest Taxonomy, Phylogenetics, Silviculture, Agroforestry and Biodiversity Conservation.

 

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Published

2019-12-31

How to Cite

Onefeli, A. O., & Stanys, V. (2019). Phylogenetic Study of African Combretaceae R. Br. based on rbcL Sequence. Baltic Forestry, 25(2), 170–177. https://doi.org/10.46490/vol25iss2pp170

Issue

Section

Forest Genetics