Cytogenetic and ITS-psbA-trnH Sequence Analysis for Phylogenetic Inference in Mucuna sp. of India

This paper reports new chromosomal information and earliest proof on efficacy of nrITS and cp-psbA-trnH gene sequences for barcoding and phylogenetic studies in Mucuna sp. First cytological evidence on M. sempervirens and M. bracteata revealed symmetrical karyotype in both the species. Meiotic anomalies evident from the formation of chromosomal laggards and bridges in M. gigantea and M. atropurpurea and unreduced pollens in M. bracteata suggest evolutionary events that might have shaped annual species in this genus. Molecular investigations using nrITS and cp-psbA-trnH sequences revealed them to be phylogenetically informative. Vis-à-vis individual genes, combined sequences of ITS and psbA-trnH sequences offered reliable data for species delineation. The results summarized here are expected to galvanize molecular taxonomic studies and open-up newer means for answering phylogenetic questions in this genus.