Find in Library

This study proposes the use of genetic analysis as a complementary method for species identification in the genus <i>Pinus</i>, particularly in cases where anatomical identification is challenging. <i>Pinus</i> species were grouped based on anatomical similarities, and the efficacy of using <i>ycf1</i>b, which is the most variable for <i>Pinus</i> species identification, and <i>rbcL</i>, which is a suggested DNA barcode for land plants, was evaluated within each group. Sequences for each species were obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database and were used to perform phylogenetic analysis. Among the species in Group 1 (<i>P</i>. <i>echinata</i>, <i>P</i>. <i>elliottii</i>, <i>P</i>. <i>ponderosa</i>, <i>P</i>. <i>radiata</i>, <i>P</i>. <i>rigida</i>, <i>P</i>. <i>taeda</i>, and <i>P</i>. <i>virginiana</i>), <i>rbcL</i> was only effective in identifying <i>P</i>. <i>radiata</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>ponderosa</i>, while <i>ycf1</i>b classified five species. An additional DNA barcode, <i>trnH-psbA</i>, was needed to identify <i>P</i>. <i>radiata</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>taeda</i>. In Group 2 (<i>P</i>. <i>densiflora</i>, <i>P</i>. <i>sylvestris</i>, and <i>P</i>. <i>thunbergii</i>), most species were identified using both <i>rbcL</i> and <i>ycf1</i>b, with the exception of possible hybrids of <i>P</i>. <i>densiflora</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>sylvestris</i>. In Group 3 (<i>P</i>. <i>koraiensis</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>strobus</i>), two species were identified using <i>rbcL</i> and <i>ycf1</i>b. Combining genetic species identification with anatomical identification can accurately identify species of the genus <i>Pinus</i>.