Abstract
DNA barcoding is a supplementary tool in plant systematics, extensively used to resolve the species level controversies. This paper details the identification of DNA barcodes for seven species of Momordica, using the chloroplast gene matK. Since the species M. cymbalaria has been confused as a member of the genus Luffa, 26 accessions of Momordica belonging to seven Indian species and two accessions of Luffa acutangula were included in this study. Analysis of matK sequences has yielded distinct barcodes in M. charantia var. subsp. and also in Luffa acutangula. Evolutionary status of each species was reflected as nucleotide polymorphisms in each sequence. The wild species M. dioica and M. sahyadrica have yielded one barcode but failed to get differentiated. Further, this study provides conclusive proof that M. cymbalaria is a member of Momordica genus. The phylogram generated was successful to distinguish the monoecious species of this genus, M. charantia, M. balsamina and M. cymbalaria, from the dioecious species M. dioica, M. sahyadrica, M. subangulata subsp. renigera and M. cochinchinensis. Thus, matK locus, by accumulating the evolutionary sequence variations, is proven efficient to differentiate the Momordica species and to reveal their relatedness.
