Intra-specific genetic diversity, phylogenetic analysis and ecological preferences of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth., across Nigeria based on rbcL dataset

Abstract

<i>Pentaclethra macrophylla</i> Benth., commonly referred to as "African oil bean"; is a leguminous tree species that belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the family Fabaceae and it is native to the dry tropical rainforest forest of West to Central Africa. It is widely used as a resource for food, medicine, firewood, construction, arts, and craft and particularly of socio-economic and cultural value to indigenous people of southern, Nigeria. Despite its significant potential, it is considered underutilized in the aspect of research attention and global trade. The dataset highlights the distribution pattern, genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationship, and ecological preferences of <i>P. macrophylla</i> accessions collected across the various agro-ecological zones in Nigeria where it is distributed, using the Ribulose 1,5 Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (<i>rbcL</i>) gene.