Molecular Markers in Phylogenetic Studies-A Review

Abstract

Uses of molecular markers in the phylogenetic studies of various organisms have become increasingly important in recent times. This review gives an overview of different molecular markers employed by researchers for the purpose of phylogenetic studies. Availability of fast DNA sequencing techniques along with the development of robust statistical analysis methods, provided a new momentum to this field. In this context, utility of different nuclear encoded genes (like 16S rRNA, 5S rRNA, 28S rRNA) mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase, mitochondrial 12S, cytochrome b, control region) and few chloroplast encoded genes (like rbcL, matK, rpl16) are discussed. Criteria for choosing suitable molecular markers and steps leading to the construction of phylogenetic trees have been discussed. Although widely practised even now, traditional morphology based systems of classification of organisms have some limitations. On the other hand it appears that the use of molecular markers, though relatively recent in popularity and are not free entirely of flaws, can complement the traditional morphology based method for phylogenetic studies.

Integrative taxonomy of Merodon caerulescens complex (Diptera: Syrphidae) - evidence of cryptic speciation

“…For example, Mengual et al (2006) found variability in a dinucleotide repeat region, AT (1-5) between Spanish M. albifrons specimens and interpreted it as intraspecific. In contrast to the variability of COI and ITS2 sequences, the 28S rRNA gene sequences are typically more conservative and most often do not show a significant divergence between closely related species (Mengual et al, 2006;Patwardhan et al, 2014) which has also been shown in the M. caerulescens complex. A total of 13 sequences of the 28S rRNA gene of M. caerulescens complex were analyzed.…”

Molecular Marker Application in Capsicum spp: A Supplement to Conventional Plant Breeding

“…Phylogeny is the history of descent of a group of taxa such as species from their common ancestors including in a study on the basis of their relationships so groupings indicates the degree of genetic similarities and dissimilarities among them (Patwardhan et al, 2014).…”

Phylogenetic analysis among some pome fruit trees of Rosaceae family using RAPD markers

“…Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) enables a survey of different loci simultaneously [9]. RAPD markers have been extensively used to analyse different aspects of plant genomes, including evaluation of genetic diversity [10], construction of genetic maps [11], marker-assisted selection [12], identification of progenies of cross pollination [13], population structure [14] and also phylogeny studies of different related species and genera [15]. These multilocus markers are not only simple, fast and sensitive, but also universal, which makes them useful for comparing different related genera and species at DNA level.…”