Molecular database for classifying Shorea species (Dipterocarpaceae) and techniques for checking the legitimacy of timber and wood products

• Published in: Journal of plant research 2011-01, Vol.124 (1), p.35-48
• Main Authors: Tsumura, Yoshihiko, Kado, Tomoyuki, Yoshida, Kazumasa, Abe, Hisashi, Ohtani, Masato, Taguchi, Yuriko, Fukue, Yoko, Tani, Naoki, Ueno, Saneyoshi, Yoshimura, Kensuke, Kamiya, Koichi, Harada, Ko, Takeuchi, Yayoi, Diway, Bibian, Finkeldey, Reiner, Na'iem, Mohamad, Indrioko, Sapto, Ng, Kevin Kit Siong, Muhammad, Norwati, Lee, Soon Leong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Base Sequence; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Candidate species; chloroplast DNA; Conservation; Databases, Nucleic Acid; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Developed countries; Dipterocarpaceae - classification; Dipterocarpaceae - genetics; DNA; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - genetics; Genetic Variation; Illegal logging; International trade; Life Sciences; Logging; Molecular biology; Molecular Sequence Data; Nucleotides - genetics; Phylogeny; Plant Biochemistry; Plant Ecology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plant species; Rainforests; Regular Paper; Sequence Analysis, DNA - methods; Species Specificity; Timber industry; Trees; Tropical forests; Wood; Wood - anatomy & histology; Wood - genetics
• ISSN: 0918-9440; 1618-0860
• DOI: 10.1007/s10265-010-0348-z

The extent of tropical forest has been declining, due to over-exploitation and illegal logging activities. Large quantities of unlawfully extracted timber and other wood products have been exported, mainly to developed countries. As part of the export monitoring effort, we have developed methods for extracting and analyzing DNA from wood products, such as veneers and sawn timbers made from dipterocarps, in order to identify the species from which they originated. We have also developed a chloroplast DNA database for classifying Shorea species, which are both ecologically and commercially important canopy tree species in the forests of Southeast Asia. We are able to determine the candidate species of wood samples, based on DNA sequences and anatomical data. The methods for analyzing DNA from dipterocarp wood products may have strong deterrent effects on international trade of illegitimate dipterocarp products. However, the method for analyzing DNA from wood is not perfect for all wood products and need for more improvement, especially for plywood sample. Consequently, there may be benefits for the conservation of tropical forests in Southeast Asia.