Morpho-Molecular Study on some Taxa of Apocynaceae Sensu Lato

Apocynaceae sensu lato (s.l.) is treated as distinct family in some taxonomic systems while in others is treated as two separated families viz. Apocynaceae sensu stricto (s.s.) and Asclepiadaceae. So the main objective of the present study was to adopt one of the two views. The morphological characters viz. whole plant, lamina vein architecture and lamina epidermal characters of 20 wild and ornamental species were examined using LM and SEM. The data were numerically analyzed to detect the phenetic relationship among the studied species. DNA barcoding based on the sequencing of rbcL gene was cladistically analyzed to detect the phylogenetic relationship among the studied species. The generated phenogram showed a clear separation of two subseries; one of them belonged to Apocynaceae and the other with the remaining taxa belonging to Asclepiadaceae. The obtained cladogram showed that all of the studied species were divided into four lineages. It is concluded that the phenetic analysis supports the treatment of Apocynaceae s.l. as two distinct families; Apocynaceae s.s. Asclepiadaceae contrary of the phylogenetic one that supports the treatment of Apocynaceae s.s. and Asclepiadaceae as one family (Apocynaceae s.l.) with four subfamilies viz. Apocynoideae, Rauvolfiodeae, Asclepiadoideae and Periplocoideae. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

The Use of DNA Barcoding and Phylogenetic Analysis to Improve Identification of Usnea spp. Based on ITS rDNA

Lichen of the genus Usnea is quite common being used as a traditional herbal remedy. This genus is characterized by thallus, which is very similar among the species, leads to some difficulties in distinguishing them. In Indonesia, such research report on the availability of this genus based on their morphological characteristic is minimal. This might be due to too high morphological similarities among them. The molecular character, which is based on the DNA Barcode of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences, with its conserved region (5.8S) and varied region (ITS1 and ITS2), are becoming essential characters on identifying as well as analyzing the phylogenetic. The current study then proposed to identify and draw the species dendrogram of species within the Usnea genus obtained from Mount Lawu Forest of Central Java and Turgo Forest of Yogyakarta based on their phylogenetic and phenetic analysis. The dendrogram was constructed with UPGMA using the simple matching coefficient, whereas the phylogenetic tree was constructed with Maximum Likelihood (ML) using Kimura-2 parameter with 1000 bootstrap. The data were unable to draw phenetic relationships among the subgenus Usnea and Eumitria members. The phylogenetic tree shows the primary two clades, distinguishing the subgenus Usnea and Eumitria. The ITS rDNA sequence was able to identify most of the Usnea species.

Phenetic analysis and habitat preferences of wild orchids in Gunung Gajah, Purworejo, Indonesia

Purba THP, Chasani AR. 2021. Phenetic analysis and habitat preferences of wild orchids in Gunung Gajah Purworejo. Biodiversitas 22: 1371-1377. Orchid (Orchidaceae) is one of the largest flowering plant families comprising more than 25.000 species. Knowledge of wild orchid diversity and their habitat preferences is useful for its conservation efforts. Research of wild orchid diversity in Indonesia has been done before, however, there is still few information about phenetic analysis and habitat preferences of wild orchids in Indonesia particularly in Gunung Gajah, Purworejo, Indonesia. Therefore, our research aimed to study species diversity and phenetic relationship of wild orchids and their habitat preferences in Gunung Gajah, Purworejo. Exploration was done using purposive sampling method. Phenetic analysis was carried out using MVSP 3.1, implemented by clustering method to understand phenetic relationships and ordination by PCA method to reveal morpho-anatomical characters which determine the clustering pattern. Thirteen orchid species of subfamily Vanilloideae, Orchidoideae, and Epidendroideae were found. Two clusters were formed on dendrogram and each of them was separated into two sub-clusters. PCA analysis based on stem, leaf, and flower characters showed different clusters compared to dendrogram. Habitat preferences of wild orchids in Gunung Gajah are alkaline soil, low soil moisture, air temperature 24-29°C, and low to high light intensity. Epiphytic orchids preferences on their host tree are dominated by median and upper part of main stem.

A Study of Correlation between Morphology and Evolution of Euphorbiaceae s.l. using Taxonomic Congruence and Total Evidence

Euphorbiaceae is one of the largest family of flowering plants, in our study different species were collected from different localities of Mizoram, the collected specimens were studied and their morphological features noted. 34 genera of Euphorbiaceae s.l were used in the study. Cladistic analysis was performed in Mesquite software and Phenetic analysis was done in NTsys software. Both analyses produce a pictorial representation in a form of a tree; cladistic analysis produce phylogenetic tree (evolutionary relationship) while phenetic analysis produce phenogram (morphological relationship). The results of the aforementioned analyses were further analysed by total evidence technique and taxonomic congruence, a phylogenetic software PAUP is used for this purpose. The resultant trees were very different and comparison was done to find correlation between evolution and morphological characters. The research finds various correlation among characters like the number of locule in ovule, phyllanthoid branching and support the inclusion of genus like Breynia, Sauropus into Phyllanthus.

A Bayesian approach to dynamic homology of morphological characters and the ancestral phenotype of jawed vertebrates

Phylogenetic analysis of morphological data proceeds from a fixed set of primary homology statements, the character-by-taxon matrix. However, there are cases where multiple conflicting homology statements can be justified from comparative anatomy. The upper jaw bones of placoderms have traditionally been considered homologous to the palatal vomer-dermopalatine series of osteichthyans. The discovery of ‘maxillate’ placoderms led to the alternative hypothesis that ‘core’ placoderm jaw bones are premaxillae and maxillae lacking external (facial) laminae. We introduce a BEAST2 package for simultaneous inference of homology and phylogeny, and find strong evidence for the latter hypothesis. Phenetic analysis of reconstructed ancestors suggests that maxillate placoderms are the most plesiomorphic known gnathostomes, and the shared cranial architecture of arthrodire placoderms, maxillate placoderms and osteichthyans is inherited. We suggest that the gnathostome ancestor possessed maxillae and premaxillae with facial and palatal laminae, and that these bones underwent divergent evolutionary trajectories in placoderms and osteichthyans.

PHENETIC ANALYSIS AND DISTRIBUTION OF CLAOXYLON IN THE LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS

Phenetic Analysis and Distribution of Claoxylon in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Floribunda 6(5): 167–174. — The genus Claoxylon A.Juss. in the Lesser Sunda Islands (LSI) was reviewed. Eleven species were recognized in Lesser Sunda Islands. Records of C. capillipes and C. fulvescens were extended to the Bali Island. Based on distribution of Claoxylon in LSI, Bali has the highest number of species (7 species), while Wetar shows the least number of species (only 1 species). A phenetic analysis was using Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariate Analysis System (NTSYS-pc) version 2.11a and distribution mapping using Quantum GIS version 2.4. Based on 14 morphological characters grouped Claoxylon species in LSI into three groups. All Claoxylon in LSI belong to section Indica and Affinia.