DNA-Based Identification of Eurasian Vicia Species Using Chloroplast and Nuclear DNA Barcodes

Abstract

Many legume species of the Vicia L. genus (Fabaceae Lindl.) are key components of the Mediterranean diet and have an integral role in sustainable agriculture. Given the importance of the Vicia species for Eurasian culture, it is necessary to implement methodologies, such as DNA barcoding, that can enable the effective authentication and identification of species in the genus. In this study, we analysed the chloroplast trnL and rpoC1, as well as the nuclear ITS2 DNA barcoding regions, to identify 71 Vicia specimens of Eurasian descent. Both the trnL and ITS2 regions were highly effective in discriminating the analysed taxa, while the more conserved rpoC1 region could not identify all of the selected species due to high sequence conservation or non-annotated or absent rpoC1 species sequences in GenBank. A dendrographic representation of the generated trnL data showed sufficient clustering for most of the analysed taxa, although some topological discrepancies were observed. ITS2 and rpoC1 reconstructions were also used for resolving the topological discrepancies observed in the trnL tree. Our analysis suggests that a combination of DNA barcoding regions is essential for accurate species discrimination within the Vicia genus, while single-locus analyses do not provide the necessary resolution.

DNA Barcoding and ITS2 Secondary Structure Predictions in Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) from the North Eastern Hill Region of India

“…In [ 34 ], the genetic diversity of taro was assessed using two chloroplast DNA barcoding markers, rbcL and pbsA-trnH, and the authors found an enhanced perception of genetic evaluation and of their characteristics. DNA barcoding analysis employing the extremely variable chloroplast trnL and nuclear ITS2 DNA barcoding regions has been used to confirm the correctness of species identification for indicated Eurasian Vicia species [ 35 ]. However, [ 36 ] acknowledge that after a comparison of several variations in the number of species detected from phylogenetic groupings,, the genetic diversity index using the rbcL marker was unable to resolve the identification of yam ( Dioscorea spp. )…”

HPLC‐MS/MS Profiles, Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Antidiabetic and Skin Protective Effects of Different Extracts of Vicia peregrina L. Collected from the Eastern Region of Turkey

“…[1] Archeological evidences believed that Vicia is largely an Old-World genus with center of diversity in the eastern Mediterranean/ western Asia area. [2,3] The genus, which is commonly known as Vetch, includes many species with economic and ecological importance. The well-known example is Faba bean (V. faba) which is consumed as human food and feed for domesticated animals in many countries due to its low fat and high protein, minerals and fiber contents.…”

“…The genus Vicia is belonging to the family Fabaceae with approximately 130–230 species that mainly distributed in Europe, Asia, North Africa, North and South America [1] . Archeological evidences believed that Vicia is largely an Old‐World genus with center of diversity in the eastern Mediterranean/western Asia area [2,3] . The genus, which is commonly known as Vetch, includes many species with economic and ecological importance.…”