Summary
Rogstad, S. H.: Saturated NaCI‐CTAB solution as a means of field preservation of leaves for DNA analyses. ‐ Taxon 41: 701‐708. 1992. ‐ ISSN 0040‐0262.
Details of a method for preserving leaves for subsequent DNA analyses using a solution that is saturated (obviating precise field weighing of chemicals) with both NaCl and CTAB are presented. Since the dry ingredients are easy to obtain and transport, the method can be utilized even at very remote sites. Results from fresh versus preserved leaves of Podophyllum, Polyalthia (3 spp.), and Taraxacum demonstrate that DNA suitable for restriction fragment analysis can be obtained from leaves that have been stored in the solution for up to one month at ambient temperatures and then frozen for over one year at ‐20°C (ultracold storage at ‐70°C is not necessary). Degradation of DNA with this new method appears to be less for some taxa than with previously proposed DNA extraction methods using dried leaves. Analyses of DNA from leaves collected at remote rain forest sites are demonstrated.
One component of the high organismal diversity of tropical lowland rain forests is the existence of series of closely related, sympatric species. For example, the six distinct tree species of the monophyletic Polyalthia hypoleuca complex regularly grow sympatrically in various combinations throughout the rain forests of Malesia. Theoretical and empirical evidence has been presented indicating that the members of such series either (1) are well differentiated with respect to at least one major niche component; or (2) may lack differentiated niches. In this study, certain sympatric members of the complex are shown to have clearly diverged in autecological characteristics that affect their distribution including: (1) P. glauca, P. hypoleuca, and P. sumatrana differ in growth characteristics, height at maturity, seedling germination requirements, and are found on soils with differing degrees of hydration; (2) P. discolor grows to a different height and on different substrate types than does P. multinervis; and (3) P. glauca and P. hypoleuca seedlings differ in transpiration characteristics and response to flooding and drought.
Recently published molecular phylogenies of the Annonaceae have confirmed the long-held hypothesis that the large paleotropical genus Polyalthia is polyphyletic. Species previously assigned to Polyalthia are now known to belong to up to six distinct, generally well-supported
clades. Three members of a group of six species previously referred to as the Polyalthia hypoleuca complex form a monophyletic group (with 99% bootstrap support) that is only distantly related to the other species of Polyalthia sampled. Putative morphological synapomorphies are
assessed, and justification provided for validating a new generic name, Maasia. Six species names in the Polyalthia hypoleuca complex are accordingly transferred to Maasia: M. discolor, M. glauca, M. hypoleuca, M.
multinervis, M. ovalifolia, and M. sumatrana.
Recently, "DNA fingerprints" have been reported in a wide array of organisms. We used the M13 repeat probe on several genera and species in the angiosperm family Rosaceae. Four apple cultivars could be differentiated when any one of five restriction enzymes was used to analyze minisatellite DNA. Similarly, four individual trees of Prunus serotina (black cherry) exhibited different "fingerprints" with each of four enyzmes. A total of 14 Rubus (blackberries and raspberries) plants representing four species were investigated with two enzymes. Extensive inter-and intraspecific variation was found. However, some closely growing plants had identical "fingerprints", probably due to their being derived through vegetative propagation.
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