Ten species belonging to four genera of the mangrove tribe Rhizophoreae found in the Indian subcontinent were
analysed for species identification and genetic relationship using nine mitochondrial gene probes. RFLP pattern
observed with 27 probe enzyme combinations the genera Rhizophora, Bruguiera, Ceriops and Kandelia
differentiated these species into three classes of mitotypes with further resolution within them. Clustering of these
mitotypes indicated that Rhizophora was more closely related to Ceriops-Kandelia than to the Bruguiera. Though
the component species of each genus clustered together, a high degree of heterogeneity was observed among four
species of the genus Rhizophora and three species of genus Bruguiera. The variation between two species of
Ceriops was minimal. Species-specific profiles were observed for all the species in some probe-enzyme
combination. Though the monotypic genus Kandelia shared a number of loci with genus Ceriops, it remained
distinct. The putative parents of the naturally occuring interspecific hybrid in Pichavaram were reconfirmed to be
R. apiculata and R. mucronata. The results are discussed with regard to the taxonomic and phylogenetic
relationships between different species and genera of the tribe Rhizophoreae.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1020924818082