| | |
Summary: Phytologia (December 2010) 92(3)346
DNA FROM HERBARIUM SPECIMENS: I. CORRELATION OF
DNA SIZE WITH SPECIMEN AGE
Robert P. Adams
Biology Department, Baylor University, Box 97388, Waco, TX
76798, USA, email Robert_Adams@baylor.edu
and
Lila Nath Sharma
Central Dept. of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal
ABSTRACT
Comparisons are made of DNA [(mode, bp); range (max,
min)] extracted from 50 herbarium specimens of Juniperus ranging
from 1 to 80 years old. The size of DNA declined with age, but varied
considerably for specimens less than 20 yrs. old. After about 20 yr. the
size of the DNA appeared to asymptote at about 200 - 500 bp.
Variation in the quality of DNA from recent specimens may be due to
drying methods and storage conditions (humidity, temperature).
Degradation in older specimens may be more influenced by oxidative
processes. Phytologia 92(3): 346-353 (December 1, 2010).
KEY WORDS: DNA, herbarium specimens, degradation, Juniperus.
|
