DNA barcode identification of cultivated and wild tropical fruit species.

Unlabelled: With the rapid growth of the fruit industry worldwide, it is important to assess adulteration to ensure the authenticity and the safety of fruit products. The DNA barcoding approach offers a quick and accurate way of identifying and authenticating species. In this study, we developed reference DNA barcodes (L, ITS2, and H-A) for 70 cultivated and wild tropical fruit species, representing 43 genera and 26 families.

DNA databases of an important tropical timber tree species Shorea leprosula (Dipterocarpaceae) for forensic timber identification.

International timber trade communities are increasingly demanding that timber in the wood supply chain be sourced from sustainably harvested forests and certified plantations. This is to combat illegal logging activities to prevent further depletion of our precious forests worldwide. Hence, timber tracking tools are important to support law enforcement officials in ensuring only sustainably harvested timbers are traded in the market.

DNA databases of a CITES listed species Aquilaria malaccensis (Thymelaeaceae) as the tracking tools for forensic identification and chain of custody certification.

Aquilaria malaccensis (Thymelaeaceae) is the main source of high-grade agarwood in Southeast Asia. Aggressive collections and trade activities over the past decades have put great pressure on the natural stands and raised concerns over the long-term survival potential of A. malaccensis.

The genome of Shorea leprosula (Dipterocarpaceae) highlights the ecological relevance of drought in aseasonal tropical rainforests.

Hyperdiverse tropical rainforests, such as the aseasonal forests in Southeast Asia, are supported by high annual rainfall. Its canopy is dominated by the species-rich tree family of Dipterocarpaceae (Asian dipterocarps), which has both ecological (e.g.

Low genetic diversity indicating the threatened status of Rhizophora apiculata (Rhizophoraceae) in Malaysia: declined evolution meets habitat destruction.

Worldwide, many mangrove species are experiencing significant population declines, including Rhizophora apiculata, which is one of the most widespread and economically important species in tropical Asia. In Malaysia, there has been an alarming decline in R. apiculata populations driven primarily by anthropogenic activities.

A geographical traceability system for Merbau (Intsia palembanica Miq.), an important timber species from peninsular Malaysia.

To inform product users about the origin of timber, the implementation of a traceability system is necessary for the forestry industry. In this study, we developed a comprehensive genetic database for the important tropical timber species Merbau, Intsia palembanica, to trace its geographic origin within peninsular Malaysia. A total of 1373 individual trees representing 39 geographically distinct populations of I.

Genetic Diversity and Demographic History of an Upper Hill Dipterocarp (Shorea platyclados): Implications for Conservation.

Southeast Asian rainforests at upper hill elevations are increasingly vulnerable to degradation because most lowland forest areas have been converted to different land uses. As such, understanding the genetics of upper hill species is becoming more crucial for their future management and conservation. Shorea platyclados is an important, widespread upper hill dipterocarp in Malaysia.

Geographic origin and individual assignment of Shorea platyclados (Dipterocarpaceae) for forensic identification.

The development of timber tracking methods based on genetic markers can provide scientific evidence to verify the origin of timber products and fulfill the growing requirement for sustainable forestry practices. In this study, the origin of an important Dark Red Meranti wood, Shorea platyclados, was studied by using the combination of seven chloroplast DNA and 15 short tandem repeats (STRs) markers. A total of 27 natural populations of S.

Forensic timber identification: a case study of a CITES listed species, Gonystylus bancanus (Thymelaeaceae).

Illegal logging and smuggling of Gonystylus bancanus (Thymelaeaceae) poses a serious threat to this fragile valuable peat swamp timber species. Using G. bancanus as a case study, DNA markers were used to develop identification databases at the species, population and individual level.

Development of microsatellites in Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), an economically important Malaysian herb.

Premise Of The Study: The exploitation of Labisia pumila for commercial demand is gradually increasing. It is therefore important that conservation is prioritized to ensure sustainable utilization. We developed microsatellites for L.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Shorea platyclados (Dipterocarpaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in Shorea platyclados (Dipterocarpaceae) for DNA profiling and genetic diversity assessment of this tropical timber species. •

Methods And Results: Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and characterized in S. platyclados using a genomic library enriched for dinucleotide (CT) repeats.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for an important tropical tree, Aquilaria malaccensis (Thymelaeaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Aggressive collections and trade activities in recent decades have resulted in heavy pressure on the natural stands of Aquilaria malaccensis and concerns over its long-term survival potential. To aid DNA profiling and assessment of its genetic diversity, microsatellite markers were developed for the species.

Methods And Results: Seventeen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for A.

Microsatellite markers of an important medicinal plant, Eurycoma longifolia (Simaroubaceae), for DNA profiling.

Premise Of The Study: Microsatellite markers of an important medicinal plant, Eurycoma longifolia (Simaroubaceae), were developed for DNA profiling and genetic diversity studies.

Methods And Results: Eighteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for E. longifolia.

Mating system and seed variation of Acacia hybrid (A. mangium x A. auriculiformis).

The mating system and seed variation of Acacia hybrid (A. mangium x A. auriculiformis) were studied using allozymes and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, respectively.

Expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeats isolated from Shorea leprosula and their transferability to 36 species within the Dipterocarpaceae.

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are valuable markers because they represent transcribed regions and often transferable to related taxa. Here, we report the development and characterization of EST-SSRs from Shorea leprosula. Fifty-four sequences containing SSRs were identified in 2003 unigenes assembled from 3159 ESTs.