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An expanded nuclear phylogenomic PCR toolkit for Sapindales
Elizabeth S Collins1, Morgan R Gostel2, Andrea Weeks1
1George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MSN 3E1, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444 USA.
Applications in Plant Sciences
|January 20, 2017
Summary
Primers developed for Bursera nuclear genes successfully amplified across Sapindales taxa. This expands tools for nuclear phylogenomic analysis in this plant order.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Phylogenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Low-copy nuclear gene loci are crucial for plant phylogenetics.
- Developing universally applicable markers is essential for broad phylogenetic studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cross-amplification success of nuclear gene primers from *Bursera simaruba* in other Sapindales taxa.
- To evaluate the utility of these primers for nuclear phylogenomic analyses.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of 91 low-copy nuclear gene loci.
- Utilized primers designed for *Bursera simaruba* (Burseraceae).
- Tested amplification across multiple Sapindales taxa, including representatives from Anacardiaceae and Rutaceae, and *Arabidopsis thaliana*.
Main Results:
- Cross-amplification success correlated with phylogenetic distance from *B. simaruba*.
- On average, 53 gene regions amplified per Sapindalean taxon (range: 16-90).
- Eight primer pairs amplified product in all tested Sapindalean taxa (excluding *Aucoumea klaineana*).
Conclusions:
- Customized primers from *Bursera* demonstrate broad utility across Sapindales.
- This primer set is a valuable resource for nuclear phylogenomic studies in Sapindales.
- Further investigation into these markers is warranted for robust phylogenetic reconstruction.
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