Phylogenetic relationship of mangrove species found in Sri Lanka based on rbcL gene sequence

A fertile mangrove community can be seen along the sheltered coastline of Sri Lanka, which is an island in the Indian Ocean. Currently there are 21 species of mangroves that have not yet been genetically classified. Therefore, we intended to perform the Sri Lankan mangrove classification using the rbcL gene marker. Cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) protocols for DNA extraction from mangroves and Silica extraction method were optimized to extract DNA. All the sequence data obtained in this study were deposited in the NCBI GenBank. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic trees revealed that, the Sri Lankan mangrove community can be classified genetically under 21 species and the Rhizophora anamalayana plant was identified as a hybrid of two species, R. apiculata and R. mucranata. As far as Ceriops is concerned, the vegetation of the Trincomalee and Puttalam areas seems to be distinctly different. Therefore, need to do more research on this clade in the future. The results of this study can be used as the baseline data for mangrove taxonomy in Sri Lanka and will be supported in future conservation and management actions.