Use DNA Barcoding of rbcL Gene and Spectral Characters in a Taxonomy of some Bougainvillea Comm. ex Juss. Species Cultivated in Northern Iraq

Abstract

The study aimed to barcode rbcL gene and to use spectral characteristics of leaf chlorophyll for the taxonomy of four species of genus Bougainvillea Comm. ex Juss. cultivated in Northern Iraq. The DNA of all species was extracted and rbcL gene was amplified, sequenced, and homology examined. The spectral characteristics were measured with a UV spectrophotometer at wavelengths between 400-800 nm. The amplification result showed that all species possessed the rbcL gene. The homology of the rbcL gene of sample 01 (OQ851473) at the size of 584 bp with B. spectibilis (100%). Sample 02 (OQ843469) was a new record of B.x buttiana that was recorded for the first time in GenBank. Whereas, sample 03 (OQ851470) with a sequence length of 552 bp matched with B. glabra (99.82% - 100%), and sample 04 (OQ851471) with a sequence length of 1229 bp matched with B. peraviana (99.59%-100%). The results of spectral characteristics of chlorophyll showed a clear variation between the species. The results of the current study can provide important information in making taxonomic decisions at the species level.