Genetic Diversity of Mangrove and Nypa Palm Species in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Authors

  • Aroloye Numbere Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  • Chinedu J Obanye Center for Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Benjamin C. Ogenyi Center for Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
  • Eberechukwu M. Maduike Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63002/gres.24.439

Abstract

Mangroves and nypa palm are two dominant coastal vegetation in the Niger delta that are sources of numerous ecosystem services. We thus hypothesized that both species are monophyletic, which means they are identical by descent. We began the study by randomly collecting fresh leave samples of nypa palm in a mixed forest comprising nypa palm and mangrove at a coastal community called Eagle Island. We put the leaves samples in zip lock bags containing silica gel crystals and transported them to the laboratory, where the DNA of the leaves was extracted. A quick-DNA plant/seed miniprep kit (Zymo-research Lab, California, USA). A total of six primer pairs were used for the amplification, namely: three microsatellite markers and three universal primers. Fragments of the samples were sequenced using the Ninagen, Brilliant DyeTM Terminator Cycle Sequencing kit V3.1 BRD3-100/1000. All three samples of the nypa palm were amplified, and the BLAST prediction tool was used to produce the new species. Our results show that out of the three samples sequenced (NI, N2, and N3), the N1 sample was identified as Nypa fruticans with 100% identity (Accession Number is KT312925.1), while the others were the new strains identified in the study namely N2 identified as Astrocaryum aculeatum with 98.95% identity (Accession Number is NC 044482.1) and N3 identified as Astrocaryum aculeatum with 99.21% (Accession Number is 044482.1).

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Published

23-04-2024