Scholarlink

<p>Accurate taxonomic identification is fundamental to effective conservation and biodiversity monitoring, particularly in ecologically sensitive and data-deficient regions such as the Maldives. This study investigates the long-standing misidentification of <i>Xylocarpus rumphii</i> as <i>Xylocarpus moluccensis</i> in the Maldivian mangrove flora. Field surveys conducted across nine islands revealed that all observed <i>Xylocarpus</i> individuals shared a consistent suite of morphological traits, including cordate leaflets, deeply fissured grey brown bark, absence of pneumatophores, and subglobose, rough surfaced fruits, which distinguish them from <i>X. moluccensis</i> and <i>X. granatum</i>. DNA barcoding using the <i>matK</i> and <i>rbcL</i> chloroplast gene regions showed 100% sequence identity with <i>X. rumphii</i> reference sequences. Phylogenetic reconstruction further supported this identification, placing the Maldivian specimen within a highly supported <i>X. rumphii</i> clade, distinct from its congeners. This study provides the first confirmed record of <i>X. rumphii</i> in the Maldives and demonstrates the value of integrating morphological and molecular tools to resolve taxonomic ambiguities. The findings have important implications for updating national species inventories and informing targeted conservation strategies.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

First Verified Record of Xylocarpus rumphii in the Maldives through Morphology and DNA Barcoding

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月2日

查看全文
  • Aishath Ali Farhath,
  • S. Bijoy Nandan,
  • P. Hari Praved,
  • S. Sreelekshmi,
  • N. Regina Hershey,
  • P. C Shamily Catherine,
  • Remy Ntakirutimana

摘要

Accurate taxonomic identification is fundamental to effective conservation and biodiversity monitoring, particularly in ecologically sensitive and data-deficient regions such as the Maldives. This study investigates the long-standing misidentification of Xylocarpus rumphii as Xylocarpus moluccensis in the Maldivian mangrove flora. Field surveys conducted across nine islands revealed that all observed Xylocarpus individuals shared a consistent suite of morphological traits, including cordate leaflets, deeply fissured grey brown bark, absence of pneumatophores, and subglobose, rough surfaced fruits, which distinguish them from X. moluccensis and X. granatum. DNA barcoding using the matK and rbcL chloroplast gene regions showed 100% sequence identity with X. rumphii reference sequences. Phylogenetic reconstruction further supported this identification, placing the Maldivian specimen within a highly supported X. rumphii clade, distinct from its congeners. This study provides the first confirmed record of X. rumphii in the Maldives and demonstrates the value of integrating morphological and molecular tools to resolve taxonomic ambiguities. The findings have important implications for updating national species inventories and informing targeted conservation strategies.