Abstract:
Macromitrium in China has complex morphological variation and many taxonomical problems. DNA barcoding is a new species identification technology. Thirty-eight specimens belonging to
Macromitrium gymnostomum Sull. & Lesq.,
M. ousine Broth.,
M.taiheizanense Nog.,
Macromitrium cavaleriei Card. & Thér.,
M. japonicum Dozy & Molk.,
M. rhacomitrioides Nog.
M. microstomum (Hook. & Grev.) Schwgr., and
Macrocoma tenue subsp.
sullivantii and
Schlotheimia grevilleana were collected from Zhejiang, Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi and Sichuan Provinces. The sequences of four chloroplast genes (
trnL, trnG, psbT and
rps4) were sequenced. Fifteen Bayesian phylogenetic trees were made based on different combinations of the above chloroplast genes. Species identification rates, and genetic distances between and within species of
Macromitrium in the present study were calculated. We found that combinations of
trnL-rps4, trnL-trnG-rps4, trnL-psbT-rps4, trnG-psbT-rps4 and
trnL-trnG-rps4-psbT could be applied to effectively identify
Macromitrium species, with 100% species identification rate. Based on the successful amplification and sequencing rate, as well as the phylogenetic relationships among the seven species of
Macromitrium, the
trnL-trnG-psbT combination was recommended for the DNA barcoding of the genus
Macromitrium.