Authentication of Three Endemic Species of the Family Caryophyllaceae from Sinai Peninsula Using DNA Barcoding

THE CARYOPHYLLACEAE are one of the most represented families with endemic species in Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. rbcl-based DNA barcoding sequences for three species of Caryophyllaceae endemic to Sinai Peninsula (Bufonia multiceps, Silene leucophylla and S. oreosinaica) were developed for the first time. BLASTN for these sequences reflected 100% Caryophyllaceae hits for rbcl sequences. Phylogenetic tree constructed using the the newly developed and mined sequences showed an ambiguous classification at both generic and tribal levels. Results reflected that such species were introduced into Sinai Peninsula through two colonization events. The first introduced S. leucophylla while the second introduced a common ancestor for the remaining two species.