Molecular phylogenetic relationships among seven Japanese species of Cercopithifilaria

DNA sequences from a portion of the mitochondrial COI gene were used to clarify phylogenetic relationships among Japanese species in the genus Cercopithifilaria. Sequences were determined from seven Japanese species, five (C. shohoi, C. multicauda, C. minuta, C. tumidicervicata and C. bulboidea) from the serow (Capricornis crispus F. Bovidae) and two (C. longa and C. crassa) from the sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon F. Cervidae). No base substitutions were observed between C. bulboidea and C. longa, suggesting that recent host switching of a lineage of C. bulboidea between bovid and cervid hosts gave rise to C. longa. In phylogenetic trees inferred using a variety of methods, the morphologically ancestral type, C. bulboidea, appeared as a derived species. C. multicauda was found to be basal in the analyses. It seems therefore that C. multicauda is the most primitive out of the seven species.     

Molecular analysis of phylogenetic relationships among Myrmecophytic macaranga species (Euphorbiaceae)

Many species of the paleotropical pioneer tree genus Macaranga Thou. (Euphorbiaceae) live in association with ants. Various types of mutualistic interactions exist, ranging from the attraction of unspecific ant visitors to obligate myrmecophytism. In the latter, nesting space and food bodies are exchanged for protection by highly specific ant partners (mainly species of the myrmicine genus Crematogaster). As a first step toward elucidating the coevolution of ant-plant interactions in the Macaranga-Crematogaster system, we have initiated a molecular investigation of the plant partners' phylogeny. Nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were analyzed for 73 accessions from 47 Macaranga species, representing 17 sections or informally described species groups. Three accessions from the putative sister taxon Mallotus Lour, were included as outgroups. Cladograms of the ITS data revealed Macaranga to be nested within Mallotus. ITS sequences are highly similar within section Pachystemon s.str., suggesting a relatively recent and rapid radiation of obligate myrmecophytes within this section. Forty-three accessions, mainly of ant-inhabited species, were additionally investigated by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite-primed PCR (MP-PCR) techniques. Phenetic analysis of RAPD and MP-PCR banding profiles generally confirmed the ITS results. Best resolutions for individual clades were obtained when ITS and RAPD/MP-PCR data were combined into a single matrix and analyzed phenetically. The combined analysis suggests multiple (four) rather than a single evolutionary origin of myrmecophytism, at least one reversal from obligate myrmecophytism to nonmyrmecophytism, and one loss of mutualistic specifity.     

基于Adhl基因分析高粱属的系统进化关系

高粱属中有重要的粮食作物和优良牧草,也有农业生产上的重要杂草.文章旨在进一步从分子水平阐明高粱属种间的系统进化关系,为有效利用种质资源进行分子育种改良作物品质提供理论依据,并明确检疫性杂草的分类地位.根据二色高粱(Sorghum bicolor)的Adhl全基因序列(GenBank登录号:AF050456)设计引物,扩增并测定黑高粱(S.almum),假高粱(S.halepense)、丝克高粱(S.silk)和苏丹草(S.sudanense)共计8个植物材料约2 000 bp的Adhl基因部分序列,结合GenBank中其他24个Sorghum属的同源序列.以Cleistachne sorghoides的对应序列为外群,进行了高粱属的亲缘关系分析,用MP、ML和NJ法分别构建了分子进化树,得到了基本相同的拓扑结构.结果显示:(1)高粱属可明显分为三大支,一支是蒴柄高粱(Chaetosorghum)和异高粱(Heterosorghum)个亚属,一支是优高粱亚属(Eusorghum),这两个分支包含2n=20、40,染色体较小的种类,另一分支包括拟高粱(Parasorghum)和有柄高粱(Stiposorghum)两个亚属,包含2n=10的种类和它们的多倍体近缘种,染色体相对较大;(2)S.almum的Adhl基因表现出明显的地理分化;(3)Parasorghum亚属的S.pur-pureosericeum和多色高粱(S.versicolor)、光高粱(S.nitidum)和S.leiocladum聚在一起,而该亚属中的S.mata-rankense、S.grande、S.timorense却与亚属Stiposorghum的种聚在一起,表现出更近的亲缘关系;(4)S.mac-rospermum和S.laxiflorum之间具有比其他高粱属种更近的亲缘关系.     

Molecular analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among the diploid aegilops species of the section Sitopsis

RAPD analysis was used to study the intraspecific variation and phylogenetic relationships of S-genome diploid Aegilops species regarded as potential donors of the B genome of cultivated wheat. In total, 21 DNA specimens from six S-genome diploid species were examined. On a dendrogram, Ae. speltoides and Ae. aucheri formed the most isolated cluster. Among the other species, Ae. searsii was the most distant while Ae. longissima and Ae. sharonensis were the closest species. The maximum difference between individual accessions within one species was approximately the same (0.18-0.22) in Ae. bicornis, Ae. longissima. Ae. sharonensis, and Ae. searsii. The difference between the clusters of questionable species Ae. speltoides and Ae. aucheri corresponded to the intraspecific level; the difference between closely related Ae. longissima and Ae. sharonensis corresponded to the interspecific level. The section Sitopsis of the genus Aegilops includes six diploid species containing the S genome, which is regarded as an ancestor of the B genome of cultivated wheat. The species of the section are thought to be closest to the genus Triticum. Note that the taxonomic status of some forms of the section Sitopsis is questionable. For instance, Ae. speltoides and Ae. aucheri are variously considered as individual species or as a single species, Ae. speltoides. The situation with Ae. longissima and Ae. sharonensis is similar. Thus, although the group includes only diploid species and is well studied morphologically, its phylogeny and taxonomy are still questionable.     

Molecular phylogenetic relationships among species of the Malagasy-Comoran gecko genus Paroedura (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

We use approximately 3100bp of mitochondrial (ND2, ND4) and nuclear (RAG1, phosducin) DNA sequence data to recover phylogenetic relationships among 14 of the 16 recognized taxa of the lizard genus Paroedura as well as two undescribed forms. These geckos are endemic to Madagascar and the Comores and are popularly kept and bred by herpetoculturalists. The closest relative of Paroedura is another Indian Ocean leaf-toed gecko, Ebenavia. Both Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony strongly support the monophyly of two major clades within Paroedura that conflict with existing species group assignments based on scale characteristics. Our well-resolved tree elucidates a biogeographic pattern in which eastern Paroedura are most basal and western and south-western species form a monophyletic group. Our data demonstrate the phylogenetic utility of phosducin, a novel marker in squamate phylogenetics, at the intrageneric level.     

Hydra of Hawaii: phylogenetic relationships with continental species

The presence of freshwater hydra in the Hawaiian Islands, over 3,700 km from the nearest continental margin, provokes the question of how these animals could reach the islands. We examined three islands for hydra and found two species (the brown hydra, Hydra vulgaris Pallas 1766, and green hydra, H. viridissima Pallas 1766) present at multiple locations on Oahu and Kauai, and at a single site on Hawaii. Phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) regions of ribosomal DNA indicates that all collected strains of brown hydra were closely related to each other—consistent with a single introduced origin. The analysis also shows that all sampled Hawaiian brown hydra fall within a specific clade of H. vulgaris. This clade is sister to a North American clade and nested within a deeper North/Central America clade. The clade with all the Hawaiian brown hydra includes also individuals from Southern California, suggesting a Californian origin for the brown Hawaiian hydra. Hawaiian hydra were probably transported to the islands by man.     

Cytological relationships of selected species ofPanicum L.

The cytological investigation of 12 taxa ofPanicum L. revealed that the vast majority of them have the basic number x=9 at different ploidy levels. The basic number x=8 was recorded only in the tetraploid speciesP. maximum with 2n=32. The diploid number 2n=18 was encountered inP. capillare, P. laevifolium, P. antidotale andP. coloratum (2) with 3B-chromosomes recorded in the latter species. The tetraploid chromosome number 2n=36 was found to exist inP. miliaceum, P. miliare, P. coloratum (1) andP. virgatum. The hexaploid number 2n=54 was recorded inP. bulbosum, P. dichotomiflorum andP. esculentum. The karyotypes of all accessions were mostly symmetrical and mainly comprised of meta- and submetacentric chromosomes with little variation in length among them within each karyotype. Investigation of chromosome association during metaphase I of meiosis revealed that the frequency of bivalents/cell was the highest among all investigated diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid accessions. Univalents were also frequently encountered in various accessions. These results may indicate that segmental alloploidy has been the major process by which polyploid species have originated.     

Molecular evidence on the species status and phylogenetic relationships of Spiranthes parksii, an endangered orchid from Texas

New genetic information on the taxonomic status of an endangered species may have strong implications for its continued protection and that of other listed taxa with questionable species status. While analyzing a more comprehensive project on the molecular phylogeny of North American Spiranthes (Orchidaceae), lack of genetic differentiation between endangered S. parksii, endemic only to Texas, and a common local congener, S. cernua, was discovered. To confirm these results in a comparative context, we focused parsimony analyses on a subset of data from local Spiranthes and the same congeners found elsewhere, expanded by additional local samples of the two focal species. Four DNA sequence segments (two chloroplast, one mitochondrial, one nuclear ribosomal) totaling 3191 base pairs were used separately and together to verify that S. parksii is nested within the same clade as S. cernua, and thus likely to be the same species. Our results concur with another recent investigation using AFLP and microsatellite data that also suggests S. parksii is not unique genetically. Therefore, based on empirical data and the phylogenetic species concept, endangered S. parksii is merely an aberrant local phenotype of and a synonym for S. cernua sensu lato. Our results should be considered during the current review of this orchid’s listing status, despite some recent policy changes on consideration of genetic data after listing.     

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of New Zealand mosquito species

ABSTRACT

Taxonomic information for New Zealand mosquito species is predominantly morphological with very few molecular data available to date. In this study, the mitochondrial COI gene and nuclear ITS1 were amplified and sequenced from DNA templates representing 17 species; 15 previously known New Zealand species, a newly discovered undescribed Aedes species from the Chatham Islands and a recently eradicated invader, Ae. camptorhynchus. This paper provides DNA barcoding sequences for the entire known New Zealand mosquito fauna, the first for the majority of these species. Phylogenetic analysis of COI and ITS1 indicated that the endemic species are all genetically distinct from the exotic species examined including vector species of pathogens of human diseases. The genus Opifex is distant from the genus Aedes based on analysis of ITS1 sequences, and Ae. chathamicus is more closely related to species within Aedes than to the genus Opifex. Results show Culex asteliae to be a valid species but Cx. rotoruae is not necessarily so. The Aedes species appears to be closely related to Ae. subalbirostris. The introduced Cx. quinquefasciatus was clearly shown to be related to Cx. pipiens; however, the endemic Cx. pervigilans was not. No evidence of population variation based on geographic location was detected.     

一种新的食用蜻蜓种类的分子鉴定

蜻蜓是一类营养丰富且具有药用保健价值的可食用昆虫。目前蜻蜓在国内被食用的种类见诸报道的有红蜻(Crocothemis servilia)、角突箭蜓(Gomphus cuneatus)、舟尾丝蟌(Lestes praemorsa)、闪蓝丽大蜻(Epophthalmia elegans)、碧伟蜓(Anax parthenope julius)、小团扇春蜓(Ictinogomphus rapax)、大团扇春蜓(Sinictinogomphus clavatus)、黄蜻(Pantala flavescens)、赤褐灰蜻(Orthetrum pruinosum)、白尾灰蜻(Orthetrum albistylum)、异色灰蜻(Orthetrum triangulare melania)、大黄赤蜻(Sympetrum uniforme)共12种。笔者在来自云南红河州元阳县大坪乡的待食用蜻蜓稚虫中发现一种体型较小的蜻蜓种类,从形态上初步判断不属于以上12种,通过DNA条形码分子鉴定法对这种蜻蜓进行了种类鉴定,结果该种蜻蜓为黄基赤蜻(Sympetrum speciosum),由此食用蜻蜓报道的种类又增加了一种。     

基于16S rDNA部分序列探讨中国近海30种石斑鱼类的分子系统进化关系

石斑鱼因其种类繁多、分布广泛及缺乏显著的形体特征,使其系统分类的研究颇为困难。为探讨中国近海石斑鱼类的系统进化关系,通过PCR扩增获得了石斑鱼亚科(Epinephelinae)6属30个种类的线粒体16SrDNA基因片段序列。采用多个生物软件对序列变异和碱基组成进行分析,计算了Kimura2parameter遗传距离、转换/颠换比等遗传信息指数,并结合GenBank石斑鱼属的同源序列,以多纹长尾(Pronotogrammusmultifasciatus)和皮氏叫姑鱼(Johniusbelengerii)为外群构建NJ、MP和ML系统树。根据所得分子依据并结合形态学特征,推论如下:1)在本研究的30种石斑鱼中,鳃棘鲈属(Plectropomus)最先分化,并呈明显单系性;九棘鲈属(Cephalopholis)是一个单系群,并且较石斑鱼属(Epinephelus)原始;侧牙鲈属(Variola)的进化地位介于鳃棘鲈属与九棘鲈属之间;2)宽额鲈(Promicropslanceolatus)可以归入石斑鱼属,而驼背鲈(Cromileptesaltivelis)也与石斑鱼属有很近的亲缘关系,甚至可能是石斑鱼属内的特化类群;3)石斑鱼属内部存在两个平行进化的姐妹分支,分支内部的种类组成与地理分布无关,暗示了石斑鱼属早期的分化模式。     

Molecular phylogenetic relationships of nonpathogenic grass mycosymbionts and clavicipitaceous plant pathogens

Acremonium sect.Albo-lanosa (Fungi Imperfecti) includes beneficial, endophytic mycosymbionts of various grasses of the subfamilyPooideae, and also the anamorph of the grass choke pathogen,Epichloë typhina (Clavicipitaceae, Ascomycotina). These fungi are seed-disseminated, thus stably maintained for many host generations. To investigate the possibility of long-term coevolution, isolates ofE. typhina and anamorphs were obtained from eight grass species, sequences of their rRNA gene internal transcribed spacers were aligned with those from otherClavicipitaceae, and cladograms were generated by maximum parsimony. The results indicated that the nonpathogenic endophytes have not necessarily coevolved with their host species and that they arose fromE. typhina on multiple occasions.     

Molecular phylogenetic relationships of neotropical salamanders of the genus Pseudoeurycea

Pseudoeurycea, with 34 described species, is one of the most diversified groups of neotropical salamanders. I generated a phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships for Pseudoeurycea and related taxa, based on DNA sequences of 16S, Cyt b, and ND4 mitochondrial genes. The analyses include 27 species of Pseudoeurycea and samples from the monotypic Lineatriton, Ixalotriton, and Parvimolge. All phylogenetic analyses resulted in a paraphyletic Pseudoeurycea. Ixalotriton and Pseudoeurycea parva always form a monophyletic group. P. parva is transferred to Ixalotriton based on morphological and molecular grounds. The phylogenetic position of the newly defined Ixalotriton clade is uncertain since it is part of an unresolved basal polytomy. Parvimolge is closely related to Pseudoeurycea, and it is also part of the basal polytomy. Lineatriton, a highly specialized taxon, is deeply nested within Pseudoeurycea. In order to provide a taxonomic arrangement consistent with the monophyly of the different units that reflects both evolutionary history and morphological specialization, Pseudoeurycea should be split into several taxonomic units.     

Taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of two species of Hypocrea with Trichoderma anamorphs

Hypocrea patella is reevaluated. Its Trichoderma anamorph is described and the phylogenetic position of the species is determined through sequences of the ITS regions of rDNA. It is sister to a clade that includes Trichoderma longibrachiatum/H. schweinitzii. Hypocrea patella f. tropica is accepted for a Costa Rican collection. Hypocrea neorufa and its Trichoderma anamorph are described. Its phylogenetic position is determined by sequences of the ITS region of rDNA and the protein-coding translation-elongation factor (EF-1α). It is derived from within a clade that includes T. viride/H. rufa, T. atroviride/H. atroviridis, T. koningii/H. koningii and T. asperellum. Deceased August 2002.     

Possible sister groups and phylogenetic relationships among selected North Pacific and North Atlantic Rhodophyta

Although the cool temperate (boreal) waters of the N. Pacific and N. Atlantic share many similar if not identical species, there have been few studies to test the identity of these species pairs. Whereas such tests are important from a taxonomic perspective, they tell us little if anything about biogeographic relationships. A more useful approach is one employing phylogenetic systematics (cladistics). The interpretation of phylogenetic diagrams (cladograms) in terms of biogeographic area relationships is explained. It is argued that cladistic analyses of taxa occurring in the cool temperate waters of the northern oceans can provide biogeographic tracks, which in turn can suggest the origins and migrations of species and possibly even floras. A number of cool temperate taxa that appear particularly amenable to this approach are discussed, including genera in the Palmariaceae, Corallinaceae, Dumontiaceae, Solieriaceae, Petrocelidaceae, Ceramiaceae and Rhodomelaceae.     

Mitochondrial DNA sequences of six sturgeon species and phylogenetic relationships within Acipenseridae

Studies on mitochondrial DNA variability amongst six sturgeon species reared in Italian aquaculture plants are reported. Restriction analysis by Rsal of mitochondrial cytochrome b and D-loop fragments amplified by PCR permitted identification of interspecific variations that would be suitable as markers for species diagnosis. Data obtained by partial sequencing of the cytochrome b gene, analyzed through maximum parsimony, neighbour joining, and UPGMA distance methods, revealed species clusters that support previous morpho-meristic and geographical data for sturgeon classification into sub-genera. According to our cluster analysis, the genera Acipenser and Huso are monophyletic. Moreover, these and previous cytogenetic data suggest that three 120-chromosome species (H. huso, H. dauricus and A. ruthenus) are at the base of sturgeon differentiation, which occurred through two different events of polyploidization.     

Molecular typing of the self-incompatibility locus of Turkish sweet cherry genotypes reflects phylogenetic relationships among cherries and other Prunus species

Self-incompatibility of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is controlled by the multiallelic S-locus. While many cultivars and wild accessions have been S-genotyped, only limited data are available on accessions native to the center of origin of this species. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the S-genotype of 11 landrace cultivars and 17 local genotypes selected from populations growing wild at the Black Sea coast. Eleven sweet cherries (S ₁–S ₇, S ₁₀, and S ₁₂–S ₁₄) and some wild cherries (S ₁₇–S ₁₉, S _21/25, and S ₃₁) S-RNase alleles were detected. The results indicate that Turkish cultivars represent a broader gene pool as compared with international cultivars. A new (S ₃₇) and a doubtful allele (provisionally labelled as S _7m) as well as the sour cherry S ₃₄-allele were identified in sweet cherry. These data and others (SSR variants within the S ₁₃-RNase introns) confirmed that allele pools of sweet and sour cherries in the Black Sea region are overlapping. A new cross-incompatibility group, XLV (S ₂ S ₁₈), was also proposed. Allele-specific primers were designed for S ₁₇–S ₁₉, S _21/25, S ₃₄, and S ₃₇. A phylogenetic analysis of the cherry S ₃₁-RNase and its trans-specific sister alleles reliably mirrored the assumed length of the time period after the divergence of species in the subgenera Cerasus and Prunophora. Most variations (insertions/deletions and single-nucleotide polymorphisms) in the S-RNase gene were silent and, hence, have not been exposed to natural selection. The results are discussed from the aspects of S-allele evolution and phylogenetic relationships among cherries and other Prunus species.     

Molecular phylogenetic relationships of family Haemulidae (Perciformes: Percoidei) and the related species based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes

Haemulidae species are morphologically diversified fishes with wondrous and changeable coloration. These species are prevalent in global tropical, subtropical, and temperate inshore reef areas. Previous morphological classification within Haemulidae and some related families was problematic, and no comprehensive molecular evaluation was conducted on these groups. In this study, we revealed the first molecular phylogenetic analysis involving representative species within Haemulidae and the relevant families (Nemipteridae and Teraponidae). The analysis was performed using both mitochondrial DNA (16S rRNA) and nuclear DNA (TMO-4c4) genes to construct maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analysis tree topologies. The molecular phylogeny recovered well-resolved relationships within Haemulidae species and the problematic taxa. In the trees, the Haemulidae species (except for genus Hapalogenys) were divided into two distinct sister lineages, including grunts (Haemulinae) and sweetlips (Plectorhynchinae). Hapalogenys was positioned outside the major Haemulidae tribe and formed an independent group, which challenged the traditional taxonomy that Hapalogenys was classified into Haemulidae. The results did agree with most current studies that Hapalogenys was only distantly related to Haemulidae and could potentially be removed from this family. Additionally, the genus Diagramma was observed to be tightly grouped inside the clade Plectorhinchus, indicating its highly close affinity within Plectorhinchus. Regarding interfamily relationships, the phylogenetic constructions suggested distant relationships within two pairs: between Scolopsis and Haemulidae and between Teraponidae and Haemulidae. Scolopsis was revealed to be highly close with Nemipteridae, and Teraponidae was clustered in an independent group, which was in accordance with most current taxonomic studies.     

Wild edible plants of the Sikkim Himalaya: Nutritive values of selected species

The wild edible plants form an important constituent of traditional diets in the Himalaya. In the Sikkim Himalaya a total of 190 species have been screened as edible species out of which nearly 47 species come to the market. The present paper deals with nutritive values of 27 most commonly consumed wild edible plants in the Sikkim Himalaya. Of 27 plant species that were analyzed for their nutritive values, 22 were edible for their fruits and five for leaves/shoots. Among different plant parts, generally higher nutrient concentration was recorded for leaves, followed by new shoots and fruits. For different species the crude fiber content ranged between 2.15–39.90%, and the total soluble salts between 4.66–21.0%, and the vitamin C content from 6-286 mg/100 g. The fat content was determined high in the fruits of Castanopsis species, Machilus edulis, and Cinnamomum species, while the protein content was highest in Hippophae rhamnoides, Cuc-umis melo, and Eleagnus latifolia. The total carbohydrate content ranged from 32-88% in the fruits of various wild edibles, the reducing sugar from 1.25–12.42%, total sugar from 2.10–25.09%, the lignin content varied from 9.05–39.51%, the hemicellulose between 25.63-55.71% and cellulose content varied from 9.57–33.19% in different species. Among the various mac-ronutrients estimated in the plant samples of different wild edible species, nitrogen was present in highest quantity, followed by potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium. Mi-cronutrients, such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper contents were analyzed in different plant parts of various wild edible species. The iron content was higher in leaves and new shoots. The study shows that wild edible plants are good source of nutrient for rural population, and also well comparable with various commercial fruits. It is suggested that a few wild edible species need to be grown for commercial cultivation and adopted in the traditional agroforestry systems, which will lead to reduced pressure on them in natural forest stands as well as producing economic benefits for poor farmers.     

Wild edible plants of the Sikkim Himalaya: Nutritive values of selected species

Wild edible plants form an important constituent of traditional diets in the Himalaya. In the Sikkim Himalaya a total of 190 species have been screened as edible species out of which nearly 47 species come to the market. The present paper deals with nutritive values of 27 most commonly consumed wild edible plants in the Sikkim Himalaya. Of 27 plant species that were analyzed for their nutritive values, 22 were edible for their fruits and five for leaves/shoots. Among different plant parts, generally higher nutrient concentration was recorded for leaves, followed by new shoots and fruits. For different species the crude fiber content ranged between 2.15–39.90%, and the total soluble salts between 4.66–21.00%, and the vitamin C content from 6–286 mg/100 g. The fat content was determined high in the fruits ofCastanopsis hystrix, Machilus edulis, andCinnamomum species, while the protein content was highest inHippophae rhamnoides, Cucumis melo, andEleagnus latifolia. The total carbohydrate content ranged from 32–88% in the fruits of various wild edibles, the reducing sugar from 1.25–12.42%, total sugar from 2.10–25.09%, the lignin content varied from 9.05–39.51%, the hemicellulose between 25.63–55.71% and cellulose content varied from 9.57–33.19% in different species. Among the various macronutrients estimated in the plant samples of different wild edible species, nitrogen was present in highest quantity, followed by potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium. Micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper contents were analyzed in different plant parts of various wild edible species. The iron content was higher in leaves and new shoots. The nutritive values of certain wild edible species determined in this study are comparable with various commercial fruits. It is suggested that a few wild edible species need to be grown for commercial cultivation and adopted in the traditional agroforestry systems, which will lead to reduced pressure on them in natural forest stands as well as producing economic benefits for poor farmers.