Plant classification has traditionally been based on plant morphology but since the development of phylogenetics, a new approach to classification is being adopted worldwide. This new approach is based on using DNA sequencing to identify the evolutionary relationship between species thus creating a phylogenetic tree. Phylogenetic tree is more accurate than the traditional forms of classification as it relies on genomes information. The genomes used in plant phylogenetics are mainly from the mitochondrion unlike in animals where the chloroplast is used.
The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group was established in 1998 with the objective of classifying plant orders using the phylogenetics. Phylogenetics has now been used to reclassify many of the main orders, including those relating to mangroves species. The mangrove species that have been changed under the new phylogenetics system include:
Species Morphological Family → AGP III family
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Aegiceras spp Myrsinaceae → Primulaceae
Avicennia spp Avicenniaceae → Acanthaceae
Brownlowia sp Tiliaceae → Malvaceae
Camptostemon spp Bombacaceae → Malvaceae
Cynometra sp Caesalpiniaceae → Fabaceae
Heritiera spp Sterculiaceae → Malvaceae
Scyphiphora sp Rubiaceae → Rubiaceae
Sonneratia spp Sonneratiaceae → Lythraceae
APG III Taxonomy classification for Mangrove Species
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