MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION AND EVOLUTION OF MUSA SPP.

GIA S. SURIMA

UNDERGRADUATE SYNTHESIS PAPER SUBMITTED TO MS. MARILAG MATEO, IN FULLFILMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBJECT EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY

Introduction

Tracing the evolution history of banana cultivars (Musa spp.) had been difficult because of the diverse distribution,
confusing taxonomical names, and unfit method of characterizations that is why, Simmonds and Shepherd (1966) created
a new classification scheme called the three-tier system. Recent science advancement groupings of the cultivars are
made through molecular systematics.

Banana cultivars (Musa spp.) which belong to family Musaceae are believed to originate in Indo-Malesia
especially Southeast Asia (De Langhe et al. 2009; Häkkinen 2013; Sulistiyaningsih et al. 2014) and since banana cultivars
were widely distributed in Southeast Asia it was then considered as the central origin of banana (Valmayor et al. 2000;
Perrier et al. 2011). Moreover, Linneaus in 1953 and 1959 characterize two type of banana, namely plantain ( Musa
paradisiaca Linn.) and dessert banana (Musa sapientum Linn.) However, Linnaeaus taxonomical names of
characterization generated confusion (Valmayor, 2000 and Singh et al. 2001) since there are many banana cultivar
names and synonyms in different languages, dialects and regions in Southeast Asia (Valmayor, 2000; Wahyudi et al.
2020).

As a result, the three-tier system of characterization was developed and adopted which consist of the species
name, followed by letter combinations indicating the ploidy and genome groups contributed by their ancestral and followed
by local cultivar name (Simmonds and Shephered 1995; Valmayor et al. 2000) while the determination of the genomic
groups were assessed based on the morphological characters (Hapsari et al. 2015). However, according to Probojati et
al. (2019) the result of morphological approach are sometimes inaccurate that is why, molecular approach through marker
is the best method to identify genome composition and grouping of banana cultivars since it was proven that DNA have
higher level of accuracy compared to the morphological techniques and PCR-based analysis.

Furthermore, banana cultivar (Musa spp.) is one of the most important fruit in developing countries and the need
for fixed matrix for identification is crucial to avoid confusion of the and because of the latest molecular technique for
genome identification will contribute for understanding the evolution of this genus. Thus, two articles are synthesized in
this paper in titled Physical Mapping and evolution of Banana, and Phylogeny and estimated genetic divergence
times of banana cultivars (Musa spp.) from Java Island by maturase K (matK) genes.

Discussion

Physical mapping like cytogenetic mapping were conducted on the genus is based on the actual localization of
markers on the chromosomes and the distance between markers expressed in terms of base pairs which resulted to, the
isolation of 19 microsatellite chromosome specific markers which traced the phylogeny of the genus and family through
genotyping which allow characterization of the genetic variability of the germplasm. While in the second article DNA
sequence from the chloroplast like MapK gene were used to identify and compare the divergence and phylogeny of 14
kinds of banana cultivars in Java Island, Indonesia. According to the study, the use of matK genes determines the genetic
diversity and species identification (Costion et al. 2011; Hilu et al. 2014; Yuan et al. 2015; Shekhar et al. 2019). In
addition, this study revealed high levels of genetic diversity in banana cultivars since the matK sequence of banana
cultivars were longer than the Poaceae (Das et al. 2013) and Dipterocarpaceae families (Harnelly et al. 2018. Hence, it
implies that the banana cultivars did not undergo severe genetic bottleneck during domestication process despite of
having a historically large population size (Li et al. 2013). In relation to that the matK gene showed high average GC
content in every sample which is a good thing in terms of molecular techniques that will be implied for hybridization of the
species since if the GC content is good the DNA is more stable therefore different conformation is possible.

Additionally, in physical mapping many studies showed positive correlation between genome size and mobile
DNA element copy number (Bennet and Leitch 2005; Paterson et al. 2009; Wicker et al. 2009). Thus according to D'Hont
et al. (2012) Musa genome is made up of different classes of transposable element that is responsible for replicating
themselves independently within the genome of host cell that may result to ectopic recombination. This mechanism helps
for the evolution of genes through contributing exonic and intronic sequences, and regulatory sequences (Miller et al.
1999; Volff 2006). This is also the reason why, cloning of banana cultivars is applicable especially in Musa textiles cloning
of this species is essential to develop high fiber yield and economic returns for the abaca farmers since this species is in
demand globally.

For that reason, in tracing the evolution of the genus Bartoš et al. (2005) extended the range of species with
known nuclear DNA contents in all sections including M. schizocarpa (S genome) and M. textilis (T genome) which I think
is necessary because in tracing the evolutionary history of this genus since the result will not be reliable if only two
species will be analysed like M. acuminata and M. balsamina. The study of showed that every species of the genus have
different genome size however, they have similar genomic organization. Understanding sequence elements is important
for the relationship of the organization and evolution of plant genomes among species.

Furthermore, the study of De Langhe et al. (2009), confirmed the relationship among the banana cultivars
haplotype distribution in Java Island were influenced by hybridization between cultiwild populations leading to a
generation of a more sterile diploids. While, the phylogenetic relationship among the cultivars were analysed using
Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony, and Bayesian inference that differentiated each cultivar into three clades
based on the genome characters. It was then determined that the divergence times and biogeographical events of banana
cultivars in Java Island diversified in tropical Asia, especially in Southeast Asia region this genus was formed in early
Eocene and it was then domesticated and evolved due to human selection and migration.

On the other hand, the estimation of genetic divergence of the genus based on the two articles is not similar since
in Physical mapping and evolution the family Musa occur approximately 50 Mya while the family occur 69.1 Mya in early
Paleocene. On the contrary recent study with the use of MapK gene, it was determined that the divergence of the genus
through phylogenetic analysis is 53 Mya while the family occur 51.9 Mya in early Eocene.

Conclusion

In conclusion, humans played a major role in the evolution and diversification of the Musa spp. it is because of
human selection and migration which diversified the plants into other parts of the world especially tropical and subtropical
nations. It is also worth noted that the estimation of the divergence of this genus based on genetics or the genome of the
plant is credible even though the estimation is not similar because perhaps the used markers take account for the result I
believe that like the second article one gene at a time must be used in the analysis so that we can compare the year of
divergence. In addition it should also be considered if the divergence differs if the markers have different origin. Lastly, all
the incorporated studies solved the problem in naming and classification of the species in the genus.

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