Molecular Phylogenetics of the Orchid Genus Spathoglottis (Orchidaceae: Collabieae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships of the orchid genus Spathoglottis (Orchidaceae: Collabieae) in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo were inferred using the internal transcribed spacer of a nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrITS), a plastid gene maturaseK (matK) and the plastid region trnL-F. Eleven species and three infraspecific taxa of Spathoglottis were examined, with two outgroup species, were included in the phylogenetic analysis. The combined plastid and nuclear data revealed Spathoglottis as monophyletic. From the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses, Spathoglottis is divided into four major groups which are, (1) the Dwarf Purple Spathoglottis, (2) the Dwarf Yellow Spathoglottis, (3) the Large Purple Spathoglottis, and (4) the Large Yellow Spathoglottis. The split in the Dwarf and Large Spathoglottis groups might reflect an early differentiation of plant size, flower colours and flower size. Phylogeny reconstruction of the orchid genus Spathoglottis also exhibited strong support towards the taxonomic delimitation of the two mostly debated taxa in the genus, S. aurea and S. microchilina.

Phylogenetic study of some major Dendrobium species of Eastern Himalaya using internal transcribed spacer marker

“…ITS-I and ITS-II were genetically divergent between Dendrobium species, as stated in earlier research and it also indicated better taxonomic identification [22,23]. The ITS sequences have been widely used because of their significance in molecular studies of the orchid family [24]. It is a common tool for tracing the evolutionary history of Dendrobium [11,25] and related families across a wide range of taxonomic groups [26,27].…”

Complete Chloroplast Genome of a Montane PlantSpathoglottis aureaLindl.: Comparative Analyses and Phylogenetic Relationships among members of Tribe Collabieae

“…This study provides the first complete chloroplast genome for the Spathoglottis genus. The data will lead to the availability of omics repositories that can support further systematics, evolutionary, population and conservation research (15). Like most other angiosperm chloroplast, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, S. aurea possessed both cis- and trans-splicing genes.…”

“…Despite this, based on a revision by Chase (7), among the Collabieae tribe the chloroplast genome has been reported for several taxa, such as Calanthe (8)(9)(10)(11) and Tainia (12)(13)(14). Although the group has approximately 450-500 known species, scarce genomic data are available and there are few reports of taxonomic conflicts (9,15,16).…”

“…The natural distribution of this genus has been recorded in the Pacific Islands and in tropical and subtropical Asia. Across the Malesian region there are 44 species that are widely distributed, with particularly dense gatherings in New Guinea (15). There are four Spathoglottis species recorded in Peninsular Malaysia with one infraspecific taxon: S. aurea Lindl., S. plicata Blume, S. hardigiana C.S.P.Parish & Rchb.f., S. affinis de Vriese and S. plicata var.…”

“…As a part of the Spathoglottis genus with a yellow flower complex, S. aurea is unique because of the influence of anthocyanin in its floral parts and leaves. Recent molecular (15) and morphological (18) studies have shown that S. aurea could be the closest ancestor of S. microchilina Kraenzl., which has only been reported in the Borneo region. Further population studies may confirm this relationship between S. aurea and S. microchilina.…”