Using matK and rbcL as DNA barcodes for Identifying and Authenticating Selected Species of Euphorbiaceae in Nigeria

A molecular systematic study of seven species of the Euphorbiaceae family was conducted using two chloroplast DNA genetic barcode markers Ribulose - 1, 5 - bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) and Maturase K (matK) to provide DNA barcodes for their unique identification from the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) system. The seven species were of genus Acalypha: Acalypha hispida and Acalypha wilkesiana; genus Euphorbia: Euphorbia heterophylla and Euphorbia hirta; genus Jatropha: Jatropha curcas and Jatropha gossypifolia and genus Manihot: Manihot esculenta. For rbcL, only A. wilkesiana, E. heterophylla, E. hirta, J. gossypifolia and M. esculenta were amplified by PCR and barcoded even though they all showed high initial DNA quality before subjecting them to PCR for amplification and sequencing. For matK, only E. heterophylla, J. gossypifolia and M. esculenta were amplified and barcoded. Barcoding results showed that rbcL and matK barcode regions can be used to identify and distinguish between the various species of Euphorbiaceae studied. The DNA sequences of the species were used to determine phylogenetic relationship using Mega 7 Software. The dendrogram showed that both rbcL and matK categorized the species into three groups validating existing systematic. Sequenced DNA submitted in 2020 to the BOLD system showed this was the first time these species were barcoded.