Molecular Study of Selected Taxonomically Critical Taxa of the Genus Iris L. from the Broader Alpine-Dinaric Area

Božena Mitić,Borut Bohanec,Barbara Sladonja,Jernej Jakše,Slavko Brana,Milenko Milović,Danijela Poljuha,Nediljko Landeka,Dalibor Vladović,Dario Hruševar,Tim Weber

doi:10.3390/plants9091229

Abstract

Some wild, morphologically diverse taxa of the genus Iris in the broad Alpine-Dinaric area have never been explored molecularly, and/or have ambiguous systematic status. The main aims of our research were to perform a molecular study of critical Iris taxa from that area (especially a narrow endemic accepted species I. adriatica, for which we also analysed genome size) and to explore the contribution of eight microsatellites and highly variable chloroplast DNA (ndhJ, rpoC1) markers to the understanding of the Iris taxa taxonomy and phylogeny. Both the microsatellite-based UPGMA and plastid markers-based maximum likelihood analysis discriminated three main clusters in the set of 32 analysed samples, which correspond well to the lower taxonomic categories of the genus, and support separate status of ambiguous regional taxa (e.g., I. sibirica subsp. erirrhiza, I. x croatica and I. x rotschildii). The first molecular data on I. adriatica revealed its genome size (2C = 12.639 ± 0.202 pg) and indicated the existence of ecotypes. For future molecular characterisation of the genus we recommend the utilisation of microsatellite markers supplemented with a combination of plastid markers.

Highlights

Iris L. is a diverse genus with over 300 taxa distributed worldwide, mostly in the northern hemisphere [1,2]
Despite phytochemical different approaches to lower taxonomic categories, most authors agree on the classification of the genus Iris into six subgenera, which are divided into sections and series [1,10,11]
Less prevalent on the European territory are taxa from the subgenus Limniris (Tausch) taxonomic categories, most authors agree on the classification of the genus Iris into six subgenera, Spach, section Limniris (Tausch) Spach, which are rhizomatous irises whose which are divided into sections and series [1,10,11]

Summary

Introduction

Iris L. (family Iridaceae) is a diverse genus with over 300 taxa distributed worldwide, mostly in the northern hemisphere [1,2]. Phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of relationships of wild. Wide distribution, morpho-ecological diversity, multiple hybridisations, and convergent evolution processes, make definitive statements of the origin and evolution of taxa in the genus Iris very difficult [4,5]. Plants 2020, 9, 1229; doi:10.3390/plants9091229 www.mdpi.com/journal/plants morpho-ecological diversity, multiple hybridisations, and convergent evolution processes, make definitive statements of the origin and evolution of taxa in the genus Iris very difficult [4,5]. To resolve a myriad of uncertainties and issues related to taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships within the genus Iris, extensive work was performed on morpho-anatomical features, palynology, Plants 2020, 9, 1229 constituents’ analysis, cytogenetic traits, and molecular analysis [6,7,8,9]. Despite phytochemical different approaches to lower (and individual) taxonomic categories, most authors agree on the classification of the genus Iris into six subgenera, which are divided into sections and series [1,10,11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion