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Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2020 | Volume: 20 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 13-21
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Authors

J.K. Ebigwai

J.K. Ebigwai

F.A. Akomaye

G.M. Ubi

Keywords

Research Article

Resolving Taxonomic Ambiguity Between Two Morphological Similar Plant Taxa Using Maturase K Gene Analysis

J.K. Ebigwai J.K. Ebigwai's LiveDNA, F.A. Akomaye and G.M. Ubi
Background and Objective: Morphological mimicry resulting in nomenclatural ambiguities between and among plant taxa is fast becoming a major concern in natural product applications. Frequent nomenclatural substitution between Tetraptera tetraptera and Albizia adianthifolia caused by morphological similarities was resolved taxonomically using Maturase K gene as a DNA barcoding tool. Materials and Methods: Grounded leaf samples of the specimens were subjected to standard DNA protocols of extraction, amplification, sequencing and BLASTING (Basic Local Alignment Tool). Results: The results of differential nucleic acid purity levels, a sequence length of 755 and 766 base pairs respectively, presence of 728 conserved codon, 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) between both samples and varied amino acid residues proved both specimens as distinct taxon. When the sequenced products were subjected to Basic Local Alignment Tool, specimen A exhibited a 99.2% homology with Tetrapleura tetraptera while specimen B presented a 99.7% homology with Albizia adianthifolia and Albizia petersiana indicating congruent identity and hence nomenclatural ambiguity. The phylogenic tree constructed to resolving the congruency revealed specimen B as exhibiting closer taxonomic distance to Albizia adianthifolia than Albizia petersiana. Conclusion: The study concludes by recommending DNA barcoding as a potent tool to resolving nomenclatural conflicts among morphological similar taxa.
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