Abstract

UNRAVELING PLANT DIVERSITY: A REVIEW OF MOLECULAR TAXONOMY

J. Ramalakshmana*

ABSTRACT

Taxonomy, the cornerstone of biological classification and conservation, has traditionally relied on morphological traits. However, this approach often faces limitations due to phenotypic plasticity, cryptic species, and convergent evolution, leading to misidentification and incomplete understanding of biodiversity. To overcome these challenges, taxonomists sought more precise and universally applicable tools to redefine species boundaries and evolutionary relationships, giving rise to molecular and integrative approaches that combine diverse data sources. This review chronicles the transformation from classical to molecular taxonomy, beginning with single-gene analyses and DNA barcoding to advanced phylogenomics that leverage hundreds of nuclear loci and complete organellar genomes. It examines landmark developments such as the establishment of standardized plant barcode markers (rbcL and matK), the resolution of complex phylogenies through Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) in families like Lypteridaceae and Podostemaceae, and the integration of molecular data with morphological and chemical traits (chemotaxonomy). The study also highlights the role of large-scale initiatives such as the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) in driving global biodiversity. The synthesis of molecular, morphological, and computational tools has revolutionized taxonomy, making species identification more accurate and efficient. Looking forward, advancements in genomic databases, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and bioinformatic pipelines promise to further enhance rapid biodiversity assessment and conservation efforts in an era of accelerating global change.

Keywords: Molecular Taxonomy, DNA Barcoding, Phylogenomics, Integrative Taxonomy, rbcL, matK.