Evaluation Of Three Candidate DNA Barcoding Loci In Selected Ficus L. (Moraceae)

Abstract: The genus Ficus L. (Moraceae) is known for its diverse morphology and habit as well as economical, ecological, and pharmaceutical importance. In this study, six Philippine Ficus species were utilized to determine the best barcoding loci among cpDNA (rbcL, trnH-psbA) and nrDNA (ITS) markers on the basis of universality, discriminatory power, and resolution of species. Both trnH-psbA and ITS showed 100% PCR success rate and 67% sequencing success, whereas rbcL exhibited 67% PCR success rate but 100% sequencing success. The trnH-psbA marker performed best in terms of discriminatory power, showing the highest variable informative site (71.37%) and the highest mean interspecific distance (48.32% ± 19.89%). ITS ranked next to trnH-psbA since it was able to generate 100% resolution of species and a comparable mean intraspecific distance score with trnHpsbA. Meanwhile, rbcL failed to resolve any species correctly; thus, it has a 0% resolution of species. We initially recommend trnH-psbA and ITS as potential DNA barcodes for molecular authentication of Ficus species

The mangal flora diversity of Del Carmen Forest on Siargao Island, Philippines

The municipality of Del Carmen, Siargao Island, hosts one of the Philippines’ most important contiguous mangrove stands. However, there is limited knowledge about the area’s floral assemblages and communities. Hence, we provide a comprehensive species list through exhaustive botanical explorations within its 11 barangays. We report 166 species in 145 genera and 73 families, of which 20 are true mangrove species. Twenty species are Philippine endemics, and seven are threatened based on the IUCN listing. The most dominant families in the area in terms of density are Rhizophoraceae and Rubiaceae, and the dominating species include Rhizophora mucronata Lam. and R. apiculata Blume. Our results exhibit a very high diversity for the entire municipality, with barangays Del Carmen and Katipunan demonstrating the highest diversity among the 11 barangays. We emphasize the value of floristic surveys as essential baseline information in formulating effective conservation and management strategies for these vital wetland ecosystems

Begonia noraaunorae (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) a new species endemic to Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines

Blasco, Freddie A., Tandang, Danilo N., Alejandro, Grecebio Jonathan D., Bucay, Mark Angelo C., Cortes, Junelito C., Rubite, Rosario R. (2023): Begonia noraaunorae (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) a new species endemic to Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Phytotaxa 620 (2): 193-197, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.620.2.8, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.620.2.

Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae)

The pantropical genus Begonia is the sixth-largest genus of flowering plants, including 1870 species. The sections of Begonia are used frequently as analogues to genera in other families but, despite their taxonomic utility, few of the current sections have been examined in the light of molecular phylogenetic analyses. We present herein the largest, most representative phylogeny of Begonia published to date and a subsequent provisional sectional classification of the genus. We utilised three plastid markers for 574 species and 809 accessions of Begonia and used Hillebrandia as an outgroup to produce a dated phylogeny. The relationships between some species and sections are poorly resolved, but many sections and deeper nodes receive strong support. We recognise 70 sections of Begonia including 5 new sections: Astrothrix, Ephemera, Jackia, Kollmannia, and Stellandrae; 4 sections are reinstated from synonymy: Australes, Exalabegonia, Latistigma and Pereira; and 5 sections are newly synonymised. The new sectional classification is discussed with reference to identifying characters and previous classifications

Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae)

The pantropical genus Begonia is the sixth-largest genus of flowering plants, including 1870 species. The sections of Begonia are used frequently as analogues to genera in other families but, despite their taxonomic utility, few of the current sections have been examined in the light of molecular phylogenetic analyses. We present herein the largest, most representative phylogeny of Begonia published to date and a subsequent provisional sectional classification of the genus. We utilised three plastid markers for 574 species and 809 accessions of Begonia and used Hillebrandia as an outgroup to produce a dated phylogeny. The relationships between some species and sections are poorly resolved, but many sections and deeper nodes receive strong support. We recognise 70 sections of Begonia including 5 new sections: Astrothrix, Ephemera, Jackia, Kollmannia, and Stellandrae; 4 sections are reinstated from synonymy: Australes, Exalabegonia, Latistigma and Pereira; and 5 sections are newly synonymised. The new sectional classification is discussed with reference to identifying characters and previous classifications