Classification of Mangrove Plants in Weno Island, Micronesia

Abstract

Mangrove plants are widely distributed in tropical or subtropical areas and plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the coast, protecting coastal areas from erosion, storm surge, and tsunamis. The mangroves massive root systems are efficient at dissipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow down tidal water enough so its sediment is deposited as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles. In this way, mangroves build their own environments. In addition, mangrove roots provide an oyster habitat and slow water flow, thereby enhancing sediment deposition in areas where it is already occurring. The fine, anoxic sediments under mangroves act as sinks for a variety of heavy metals which colloidal particles in the sediments scavenged from the water. Mangrove removal disturbs these underlying sediments, often creating problems of trace metal contamination of seawater and biota. In this study, six species of mangroves that live in Chuuk island, Micronesia, were collected and could be classified in terms of morphological features. Furthermore the morphological classification was supported by the results of molecular approach using DNA barcodes including rbcL gene. We developed rbcL-based PCR markers for identification of mangrove species. Our data suggest that rbcL gene is a potential and useful marker for resolving the molecular relationships among species of mangroves.e root systems are efficient at dissipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow down tidal water enough so its sediment is deposited as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles. In this way, mangroves build their own environments. In addition, mangrove roots provide an oyster habitat and slow water flow, thereby enhancing sediment deposition in areas where it is already occurring. The fine, anoxic sediments under mangroves act as sinks for a variety of heavy metals which colloidal particles in the sediments scavenged from the water. Mangrove removal disturbs these underlying sediments, often creating problems of trace metal contamination of seawater and biota. In this study, six species of mangroves that live in Chuuk island, Micronesia, were collected and could be classified in terms of morphological features. Furthermore the morphological classification was supported by the results of molecular approach using DNA barcodes including rbcL gene. We developed rbcL-based PCR markers for identification of mangrove species. Our data suggest that rbcL gene is a potential and useful marker for resolving the molecular relationships among species of mangroves.