Abstract

Phylogenetic diversity of Allspice (Pimenta dioica) collections from Tanzania using chloroplast (cp) rbcL gene

Author(s): Naman Raichand

This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships among diverse collections of Allspice (Pimenta dioica) sourced from Tanzania. The chloroplast (cp) ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) gene is employed as a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) barcode for this purpose. Allspice holds significance due to its economic, medicinal, and cultural applications. The phylogenetics study will help to identify the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity within the Myrtaceae family, aiding in accurate identification and understanding its evolutionary history. The molecular phylogeny involved deoxyribonucleic acid extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification, and rbcL gene sequencing. Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) method is employed for genomic DNA extraction, while the rbcL gene is amplified using specific primers. Results reveal an average amplicon size of 560bp, BLASTN search exhibited over 96% similarity to seventeen Myrtaceae family members, including Eucalyptus torquata (NC_022401), Eucalyptus spathulata (NC_022400), Eucalyptus torquata (KC180794), Eucalyptus spathulata (KC180793), Syzygium polyanthum (OQ355361), Syzygium aromaticum (ON920513), Luma apiculata (KX162972), Eugenia aggregata (OP650216), Eugenia Selloi (MN095411), Myrcianthes pungens (MN095409), Campomanesia xanthocarpa (KY392760), Acca sellowiana (KX289887), Syzygium samarangense (NC_060657), Lophomyrtus bullata (MW214669), Lenwebbia prominens (MW214668), Lenwebbia lasioclade (MW214667), and Syzygium nervosum (NC_053907). The phylogenetic tree portrayed Allspice rbcL gene's proximity to Myrtaceae family members. This study demonstrates substantial genetic diversity within Tanzanian Allspice collections and among Myrtaceae family constituents. Furthermore, it establishes a basis for future research on Allspice's evolutionary history and population genetics in Tanzania.