Genetic polymorphism detected with RAPD analysis and morphological variability in some microspecies of apomictic Alchemilla

摘要

Alchemilla L. (Rosaceae) contains numerous agamospermous microspecies, which are often treated as species. However, many of them are not clearly morphologically distinct, and their genetic variability is practically not investigated. In the present study, we used RAID analysis to assess the genetic relatedness between AIchemilla microspecies. In all, 51 plants from 12 Alchemilla microspecies were analysed, and 116 characters were considered (68 RAID bands over three primers and 48 morphological characters). Phylogenetic trees were constructed by the unweighted pair-group method, neighbour-joining and maximum parsimony methods. The genetic data supported most Frohner' s system of sections. Despite the use of a limited set of data in the investigation and weak support values, some tentative conclusions could be based on congruence of the RAID analysis and morphological data. Alchemilla acutiloba Opiz and A. micans Buser should be united as a single microspecies, A. micans; section Plicatae should be divided into two series Pubescentes and Barbulatae; and A. heptagona Juz. may be separated in Exuentes series of Ultravulgares.