Characterizing of ITS2 secondary structures reveals the geographical differentiation of seagrass <i>Halophila ovalis</i> (Hydrocharitaceae) in the world

Xuan-Thuy Nguyen; Nhu-Thuy Nguyen-Nhat; Trung-Hieu Nguyen; Manh-Linh Nguyen; Van-Luong Cao; My-Ngan Nguyen; Viet-Ha Dao; Vy Xuan Nguyen

doi:10.15625/1859-3097/20455

Author affiliations

Authors

Nguyen Thi XuanThuy Institution of Oceanography, VAST, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
Nguyen Nhat Nhu Thuy Institution of Oceanography, VAST, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
Nguyen Trung Hieu Institution of Oceanography, VAST, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
Nguyen Manh Linh Institute of Marine Environment and Resources, VAST, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Cao Van Luong Institute of Marine Environment and Resources, VAST, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi My Ngan Institution of Oceanography, VAST, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
Dao Viet Ha Institute of Marine Environment and Resources, VAST, Hai Phong, Vietnam; Graduate University of Science and Technology, VAST, Hanoi, Vietnam
Nguyen Xuan Vy Institute of Marine Environment and Resources, VAST, Hai Phong, Vietnam; Graduate University of Science and Technology, VAST, Hanoi, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4090-046X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/1859-3097/20455

Abstract

The seagrass Halophila is one of the genera of Hydrocharitaceae that shows the highest number of species, with around 20 species. Among them, H. ovalis, H. major, H. minor, and H. nipponica are closely related species. It is the first time ITS2 secondary structures and their phylogenetic utility in this genus were reported worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis based on 205 bp of ITS2 showed four clades corresponding to above species. ITS2 secondary structures showed insight into Halophila ovalis from the East coast of Africa. Halophila ovalis from the East coast of Africa showed a distinct variant in Helix 1, 2, and 3 compared to the worldwide populations. Therefore, the ITS2 locus should be used as a DNA barcode for identifying Halophila species.

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