Phylogenetics and Biogeography of the Phalaenopsis violacea (Orchidaceae) Species Complex Based on Nuclear and Plastid DNA

• Published in: Journal of plant biology = Singmul Hakhoe chi Vol. 53; no. 6; pp. 453 - 460
• Main Authors: Tsai, Chi-Chu, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan, Sheue, Chiou-Rong, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Chen, Chih-Hsiung, National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan, Chou, Chang-Hung, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.12.2010; Springer Nature B.V; 한국식물학회
• Subjects: BIOGEOGRAFIA; BIOGEOGRAPHIE; BIOGEOGRAPHY; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Life Sciences; Original Research; Phalaenopsis violacea; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Physical characteristics; Plant Breeding/Biotechnology; Plant Ecology; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Ribosomal DNA; Spacer; Species complex; Trends; 생물학; Mentawai; Borneo; California; United States > US; Sumatra; Indonesia; Phylogenetics; Biogeography; Species complex
• ISSN: 1226-9239; 1867-0725
• DOI: 10.1007/s12374-010-9136-5

The Phalaenopsis violacea complex includes two species: P. violacea Witte and Phalaenopsis bellina (Rchb.f.) E. A. Christ. However, three forms of P. violacea have been found in different areas, including Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and Mentawai Island. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA), the trnL intron, and the atpB-rbcL spacer of plastid DNA were used to clarify the phylogenetics and biogeography of the P. violacea complex. Analyses of the trnL intron sequences and of the atpB-rbcL spacer did not allow for apparent discrimination among these three species of the P. violacea complex. Based on the phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS sequence, P. bellina cannot be separated from populations of P. violacea, with the exception of the population distributed on Mentawai Is., Indonesia. Based on morphological characterisstics, P. violacea distributed on Mentawai Is. has a long and roundish rachis and is separate from the other groups of the P. violacea complex described by Christenson (Timber, Portland, OR, 2001). Therefore, the results of this study show a trend that supports the conclusion that the population of the P. violacea complex on Mentawai Is. is a separate species from P. violacea. Based on the biogeography of the P. violacea complex, Mentawai plants of this complex might be descended from those on the Sumatra/Malay Peninsula.