Genetic structures of natural population of three Nipah (Nypa Fruticans (Wurmb) Thunb.) genotypes in Malaysia revealed by chloroplast DNA

Abstract

Nypa fruticans (Wurmb. Thunb.) or known as nipah is one of the earliest and oldest angiosperms assignable to modern genus, dated back to Cretaceous period around 75 million years ago. Nipah is known to be one of the most versatile mangrove plants in term of its usage. However, its genetic diversity has been poorly documented. Hence, this study was carried out to evaluate nipah genetic diversity in Malaysia using DNA analysis via phylogenetic approach.