Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Vallisneria Spiralis Linnaeus in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India

Background The plant Vallisneria spiralis Linnaeus, also referred to as water celery or tape grass, is classified as a monocotyledonous plant within the Hydrocharitaceae family. The genus Vallisneria has a wide geographical range, encompassing temperate, tropical, and subtropical areas, such as Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Except for a limited range of characteristics, there is a lack of consistent physical traits that can function as precise taxonomic indicators for defining species borders within the genus. Hence, Vallisneria samples obtained from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, India, were subjected to molecular phylogenetic analysis. Vallisneria spiralis L. has been documented in many regions worldwide; however, its existence in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India, has not been verified by molecular identification. Aim This study aimed to identify the Vallisneria species found in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India, through molecular phylogenetic analysis. Objective The objective of the molecular identification of Vallisneria species was to distinguish between the different species of Vallisneria found in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India. Genetic differences between the Vallisneria species were analyzed using molecular markers. Methods The specimens were obtained from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India, and subsequently verified and identified using genetic techniques. The maximum likelihood technique was employed as an optimality criterion to conduct the phylogenetic studies. Results The resulting tree had grouping patterns comparable to the preceding phylogenetic tree generated using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) technique. The consistent clustering observed in this study strengthened the reliability and strength of the results of Vallisneria spiralis L. from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India. The placement of Vallisneria spiralis L. from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India, inside the predicted clade, was confirmed through a comparison with published phylogenetic research on the Vallisneria genus. Conclusion The identification of Vallisneria spiralis within the analyzed dataset was supported by grouping the original sequences in the resulting tree. The verification of the existence of Vallisneria spiralis L. in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India, is significant in comprehending the geographical range and biological variety of this species within the Indian context.