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Authors
Farhath, Aishath Ali https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2004-8371
Nandan, S. Bijoy
Praved, P. Hari
Sreelekshmi, S.
Hershey, N. Regina
Ntakirutimana, Remy
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Funding
Funding for this research was provided by:
PADI Foundation (98089)
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Article History
Received: 1 December 2025
Accepted: 13 May 2026
First Online: 12 June 2026
Declarations
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: All mangrove leaf samples and voucher specimens were collected from naturally occurring wild mangrove stands in the Maldives, in accordance with national and local regulations. Field sampling was conducted with permission and facilitation from the Island Councils of HA. Kelaa, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, Sh. Funadhoo, N. Kendhikulhudhoo, K. Malé, K. Huraa, Gn. Fuvahmulah and S. Hithadhoo (Addu City), and under an existing research authorisation issued by the Environmental Protection Agency of the Maldives (Permit Ref. No. 438/PRIV/2020/344). Only minimal, non-destructive leaf material was collected for DNA analysis, and no protected species were harmed. Voucher specimens have been deposited in the Herbarium of the Maldives Wetlands Foundation (MWFH), Malé City, Maldives, and the corresponding voucher numbers are provided in Supplementary Table .
: All authors agree for publication of this article.
: The authors declare no competing interests.
: Sampling of mangrove plant material was conducted in accordance with relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines. Fieldwork was carried out with appropriate permissions from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Maldives and in consultation with relevant Island Councils. Among the sampled taxa, Bruguiera hainesii is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Sampling of this species was restricted to minimal, non-destructive leaf material, and no harm to individual plants or populations occurred. All other sampled species are not currently listed as threatened. Plant materials were identified by lead author Aishath Farhath Ali using standard taxonomic references and verified through integrative morphological and molecular approaches. Voucher specimens were prepared and deposited at the Maldives Wetlands Foundation Herbarium (MWFH), following the voucher numbering system (MWF AFA###–ISLAND), corresponding to species identity and collection locality. Voucher specimen details are provided in Supplementary Table .
