A MULTIVARIATE MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE GENUS LOTUS L., 1753 (FABACEAE, LOTEAE) FROM EGYPT

This study aims at examining and confirming the patterns of phenetic relationships and the levels of variations within and among the species of Lotus L., 1753 in Egypt by using morphometric analysis techniques. We have evaluated 24 morphological characters from about 300 herbarium specimens representing 19 species of Lotus that are currently recognized. Based on numerical analyses of macromorphological characters (cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis and principal component analysis), 19 species of Lotus were recognized from Egypt. These species were clustered in six species-specific groups: (I) Lotus halophilus Boiss. & Spruner, L. angustissimus L., L. glinoides Delile and L. schimperi Steud. ex Boiss., (II) Lotus glaber Mill. and L. palustris Willd., (III) Lotus polyphyllos E.D. Clarke, L. creticus L. and L. cytisoides L., (IV) Lotus gebelia Vent., L. lanuginosus Vent. and L. arenarius Brot., (V) Lotus edulis L., L. tetragonolobus L. and L. conjugatus L. and (VI) Lotus ornithopodioides L., L. peregrinus L., L. arabicus L. and L. hebranicus Hochst. ex Brand. As a result of this study, we proposed that some characters, not previously examined in detail, showed significant characters in species delimitation: pod length, seed dimensions, features of upper and lower leaflets, calyx, length of corolla, length of style, numbers of flowers and ovules.

The morphological character variation analysis of Schizostachyum lima (Blanco) Merr in Central Lombok Regency

The small diameter size with thin wall thickness is the unique character of S. lima, so it is appropriate to be used as raw material for environmentally friendly bamboo straws. This environmentally friendly bamboo straw has become one of the mainstay export commodities from Lombok Island. This research aimed at determining the diversity of S.lima in Central Lombok Regency through morphological characteristics and analyzing the phenetic relationship. The research was conducted from November 2020 to June 2021 in Central Lombok Regency. Determination of sampling locations based on literature and the community, especially bamboo craftsmen and S.lima collectors. There are 45 phenetic characters used in this research, consisting of qualitative data and quantitative data. Data analysis was used the NTSYS PC version 2.11a to analyze phenetic relationships. The phenogram was analyzed and subsequently used to develop descriptions of each S.lima which was found in the Central Lombok Regency. As a result, most of S.lima was found growing in community plantations with variations in the soil texture. The results of the cluster analysis resulted in 2 large groups, the first group consisting of 21 locations S.lima was found, and the second group only consisted of 1 location, namely Lantan. The level of similarity between the first group and the second group 2 was only 40%. Another group consisting of 21 locations showed a varying degree of similarity from one location to another (52%-93%). There are 6 locations that have the highest level of similarity (93%), namely, between Jurit and Presak bat, Bebante with Mekar Damai and Montong Terep, and Gunung Ise. The results of this study indicate that S.lima found in all locations in Central Lombok did not show significant variation when the growth factor was optimal. Further research by molecular approach is needed to determine the genetic variation of S. lima in Central Lombok Regency.

Variation on morphology and spore characters of Dicranopteris and Sticherus (Gleicheniaceae) from Rokan Hulu District, Riau, Indonesia

Marpaung AA, Susandarini R. 2021. Variation on morphology and spore characters of Dicranopteris and Sticherus (Gleicheniaceae) from Rokan Hulu District, Riau. Biodiversitas 22: 4475-4486. Dicranopteris and Sticherus are genera in the family Gleicheniaceae which have unique habits and distinctively specific growth with the presence of a bud on the forking branches. This study aims to reveal the species diversity of Gleicheniaceae members found in the forest area of Bukit Suligi Tandun, Rokan Hulu District, Riau and to document variations in their morphological characters and spores. Eleven collections were obtained from the exploration in the study area. The identification of plant specimens showed that these eleven taxa consisted of Dicranopteris curranii, Dicranopteris speciosa, seven varieties of Dicranopteris linearis, and two varieties of Sticherus truncatus. Seven varieties within D. linearis were D. linearis var. linearis, D. linearis var. alternans, D. linearis var. altissima, D. linearis var. demota, D. linearis var. inaequalis, D. linearis var. subspeciosa, and D. linearis var. tetraphylla. The only one species of Sticherus found was S. truncatus which consisted of two varieties, namely S. truncatus var. truncata and S. truncatus var. involuta. Morphological characters were observed from fertile specimens, while spore characters were observed from spore microscopic slides prepared using acetolysis method. There were 42 morphological characters and spores examined and used as the basis for determining the phenetic relationships using cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The results of cluster analysis showed the formation of two clusters that clearly separated the genus Sticherus from Dicranopteris. The three species of Dicranopteris were also clearly separated from each other in different sub-clusters. The result of principal component analysis indicated characters that contribute to the grouping of the eleven taxa and was able to explain the distinguishing characters in each group recognized from the cluster analysis. Overall, the results of this study contributed to documenting in detail the morphological variations in sporophyte and spore characters in eleven taxa of Dicranopetris and Sticherus, as well as proving the role of morphological and spore characters in the classification and defining phenetic relationships using numerical taxonomic approach.

Numerical phenetic and phylogenetic relationships in silico among brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae) from Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Ningrum AM, Chasani AR. 2021. Numerical phenetic and phylogenetic relationships in silico among brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae) from Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3057-3064. Human activities such as industrial and tourism development on coastal areas in Indonesia are dreaded to affect seaweed diversity, including brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae). Though study on brown seaweeds diversity has been done quite a lot, there is no record of analysis of phenetic and phylogenetic relationships among brown seaweeds. Hence, this study aims to determine the phenetic and phylogenetic relationships in silico among brown seaweeds and define characters that play a role in the clustering of brown seaweeds from Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Exploration was done using purposive sampling method. Numerical phenetic analysis was generated using MVSP 3.1. Further clustering method was implemented to identify phenetic relationships The PCA method was used to reveal morphological, anatomical, and biochemical characters that determine the clustering pattern. The phylogenetic relationships in silico analysis were conducted using rbcL genes from NCBI GenBank database. All multiple sequences were aligned using ClustalW and phylogram reconstruction was performed using Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method in MEGA 7.0. Our study showed that both the analyses, i.e., numerical phenetic and phylogenetic relationships in silico resulted in two main clusters although the species composition of the clusters was slightly different. The PCA analysis indicated that the morphological characters i.e. blade shape, phylloid shape, thalli height, length of the main axis, and the water bladder shape play an important role in the clustering of brown seaweeds species.

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.

Identification of Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) in Liwa Botanical Garden Based on Leaf Morphological Characters

Orchid is one of the most popular ornamental plants in the world. One of the orchid genera that is collected in a large number and known to have high morphological variations in the Liwa Botanical Garden is Dendrobium. However, to date, many Dendrobium collections have not been identified. Given the urgency of identification and the limitations of specimens in the field, especially flower organs, this study is important. This study aims to determine variations in morphological characters, phenetic relationships, and to identify Dendrobium collections based on leaf morphological characters in the Liwa Botanical Garden. Five accessions of Dendrobium were collected, namely CAT140, CAT 144, CAT 271, CAT 274, and IR015. Observation of 11 morphological characters leaves showed that leaf had high variations. The phenetic relationship based on the Gower similarity value and the UPGMA method shows that the Dendrobium in the Liwa Botanical Garden can be classified into 2 main groups formed with a similarity index value of 0.813. Based on Principle Component analysis values, it is known that the characters that have a large influence on grouping are the ratio of leaf length and width, leaf cross section, and leaf arrangement. The phenetic dendrogram topology is supported by the morphological character classification. The results of this study are expected to be basic information in the identification of natural orchids and conservation efforts in the Liwa Botanical Garden.

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.

Variability and problem of species identification of sculpins of the genus Cyphocottus (Pisces: Cottidae)

Based on the material collected during the fieldwork seasons from 1996 to 2007 in the amount of 223 specimens, we studied phenetic relationships and taxonomic structure of the genus Cyphocottus. Two valid species, C. megalops and C. eurystomus, within the taxonomic boundaries established by D.N. Taliev (1955) were confirmed in the genus Cyphocottus. Interspecific differences in C. eurystomus are manifested in greater values of interorbital distance, the height of the head, body and caudal peduncle, as well as in smaller values of eye diameter and caudal peduncle length. Polymorphism in the definitive sizes, colour and the number of neuromasts in the lateral line is typical of C. eurystomus. At the same time, all populations have specific characters of C. eurystomus different from C. megalops. We found no intraspecific variability in C. megalops.

Species diversity and phenetic relationship among accessions of api-api (Avicennia spp.) in Java based on morphological characters and ISSR markers

Sabdanawaty FP, Purnomo, Daryono BS. 2021. Species diversity and phenetic relationship among accessions of api-api (Avicennia spp.) in Java based on morphological characters and ISSR markers. Biodiversitas 22: 193-198. Api-api (Avicennia spp.) from mangrove groups is rich in economic and ecological benefits. Research on the potential of api-api has been extensively done, but no research is specifically focused on the identification of api-api. This study aims to identify species diversity and phenetic relationships of api-api in Java based on morphological and molecular characters. The morphological analysis was based on 35 characters and referred to the descriptor. The PCA analysis on the morphological characters of Avicennia spp. showed a high diversity. Morphological characters have a high effect on grouping patterns such as habitat, leaf shape, leaf tip, leaf base, and petal color. Molecular observations were done on the polymorphism of DNA bands. The ISSR primers used were ISSR02, ISSR04, and ISSR10. PCR amplification of DNA was separated and visualized using a doc gel electrophoresis. The results showed a high diversity based on the percentage of DNA polymorphism. The research resulted in three species of Avicennia spp. in Java, namely Avicennia officinalis, A. alba, and A. marina. Phenetic relationships between Avicennia spp. form was based on similarity in character, not based on the area of origin. The environmental conditions in this study slightly opposed the character of Avicennia spp., which presumably due to the similarity in various marine areas of Java such as temperature, pH, and the required salinity.