DNA barcoding of wild plants in Thailand using matK gene
Suchitra Changtragoon
Forest Genetics and Biotechnology Division
Forest and Plant Conservation Research Office
National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department
61 Phaholyothin, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand 10900
Abstract
DNA barcoding is a taxonomic method that uses a short genetic marker in an organism's DNA to
identify a particular species. It differs from molecular phylogeny, since its main goal is not to determine
classification but to identify an unknown sample in terms of a known classification. Therefore the establishment
of database on DNA barcoding of wild plant species in Thailand is strongly encouraged. To this stage the DNA
of 58 wild plant species from 18 families in Thailand namely 1. DIPTEROCARPACEAE: Anisotera
costata, Dipterocarpus kerrii , D. costatus, Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, D. turbinatus, D. intricatus,
D. alatus, D. grandiflorus, Hopea ferrea, H. odorota , Paranshorea stellata, S. foxworthyi, S.
roxburghii , S. guiso, Shorea siamensis, S. henryana 2. FABACEAE: Archidendron jiringa, Cassia
fistula, Dalbergia. cochinchinensis , Intsia palembanica, Parkia speciosa, Peltophorum pterocarpum,
Pterocarpus macrocarpus , Sindora siamensis, Saraca declinata, S. indica, S. thaipingensis, Xylia
xylocarpa var.kirrii 3. MELIACEAE: Azadirachta excelsa, A. indica var.siamensis, Chukrasia
tabularis, C. velutina, Swetenia macrophylla, Toona sureni 4.STERCULIACEAE: Mansonia gagei,
Pterocymdium tinctorium, Sterculia foetiba 5. BOMBACACEAE: Bombax insigne
6.LAURACEAE: Cinnamomum iners, C. porrectum, Litsea elliptica 7. EBENACEAE: Diospyros
areolata, D. mollis 8.MORACEAE: Artocarpus lacucha, A. toxicaria 9.ANACARDIACEAE:
Mangifera foetida , Bouea oppositifolia 10. APOCYNACEAE: Alstonia macrophylla
11.ANNONACEAE: Melodorum fruticosum 12.EUPHORBIACEAE: Elateriospermum tapos 13.
ICACINACEAE: Platea latifolia 14. LAMIACEAE: Tectona grandis 15. LYTHRACEAE:
Lagerstroemia villosa 16. MYRISTICACEAE: Knema furfuracea 17. PIPERACEAE: Piper
retrofractum 18. SAPINDACEAE: Lepisanthes fruticosa have been sequenced at maturase K (matk)
gene. The obtained 800 bp choloplast DNA matK sequences showed that there were species with specific
nucleotides as DNA barcoding suggesting? the number of protected and endangered forest tree species which
could be useful for forensics and biosecurity as well as timber trade in controlled species in the future.
KEY WORDS: DNA Barcoding, matK gene, wild plants, Thailand