Abstract
Tamarix L. plants are tolerant to extreme environmental conditions and represent a resource for the recovery of marginal areas. The aim of this study is to develop a molecular method for species assignment and to characterize the genetic differentiation of Italian Tamarix populations. Blind sampling was performed and individuals were gathered without any regard for species identity from seven sites in Italy. If possible, flowers for species identification were collected, but 60% of samples remained unidentified. The genotypic profile of 17 microsatellite markers and a Bayesian statistical approach allowed the individuals to split among genetic entities rather than by their species identity. A clear assignment of Tamarix africana Poir. individuals was found, but this was not the case for Tamarix gallica L. and Tamarix canariensis Willd., whose individuals were clustered in a unique group (T. gallica-like). In T. africana, the Bayesian analysis of the genetic structure pointed out the existence of a unique gene pool, whereas according to principal coordinates analysis (PCOA) and FSTvalues, the populations from Lazio and Sardinia were more differentiated. All the analyses performed showed a differentiation between Sicily and peninsular Southern Italy in the T. gallica-like group. This study is the first to report the characterization of the natural genetic resources of Italian tamarisks and it suggests the absence of genetic differentiation between T. gallica and T. canariensis.
Published Version
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