Molecular phylogenetic authentication of the relative evolution of Desplatsia spp. from Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Desplatsia spp. Is among threatened species on the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). On the taxonomic classification of the species, they are reported as belonging to Tiliaceae by some authorities while others report as Malvaceae family. In this study, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers (RAPD) was used to evaluate the genetic relatedness of Desplatsia subericarpa and Desplatsia dewevrei collected from Southern Nigeria with the aim of ascertaining their exact plant family. Fresh leaves samples of test plants were collected alongside already established plant members of Tiliaceae (Corchorus olitorius) and Mavaceae (Abelmoschus esculentus). The genomic DNA was extracted from leaves using Bioline isolate II plant Genomic DNA kit. Three-cluster analysis was conducted based on Nei’s genetic distance matrices. Results showed clear RAPD bonding patterns. The combination of 10 random primers generated 84 bands all of which were polymorphic (100%). Findings suggest that though closely related to the family Tiliaceae, both species of Desplatsia are neither relatives of Tiliaceae nor Malvaceae families. Further and advanced study is recommended to appropriately classify Desplatsia spp. into a plant family to avoid the disparity in their present taxonomic classification.