Molecular Markers in Pteridophytes

Identification and classification of lifeforms is an elementary step in knowledge generation and biodiversity management. Traditionally, taxonomical studies of variation and discrimination of species were established based on their morphological and anatomical characteristics. The advancement of molecular techniques has generated information on the genetic basis for diversity and variability in organisms. For several years, biologists have used various DNA-based fingerprinting techniques such as plastid and nuclear SSRs, RAPD, AFLP, DNA sequencing, and classical taxonomy tools to study population dynamics, species delimitation, hybridization, and phylogenetics. Albeit on ad hoc basis, the techniques are used to identify specimen with variations or atypical morphological characters. The need for their application in pteridophyte identification and discrimination is more pressing than any other plant group because pteridophytes have limited stark variations in morphological characters and high species diversity. Molecular marker studies have a wide range of applications in pteridophytes, such as evolutionary studies, homology identification, diversity analysis, breeding for trait improvement, and detection of adulteration in compounded forms of herbal extracts.