Abstract
Taxonomy of the genus <em>Quercus</em> L. is very complicated and often controversial because of its great variability and intense gene flow among the related species. The purpose of this research was to determine morphological and molecular variation, relationships and taxonomic status of the Croatian populations of <em>Quercus pubescens</em> Willd. using morphological analysis of the leaves and RAPD-PCR technique. The results of the morphological and molecular analyses were very similar, both showing differentiation of the southern (Mediterranean) from the northern (Continental) pubescent oak populations. These two groups were clearly separated and the estimated gene flow among the populations that belong to different groups (Nm=1.38) is significantly less than among the populations that belong to the same group (Nm=3.70). The obtained results were compared to the available studies. This study confirms a high variability of the <em>Q. pubescens</em> populations, but differences were not so big to confirm the opinion of existence of several species in this area. The conclusion is that the southern Croatian populations could be pure <em>Q. pubescens</em> populations, while the peculiarities of the northern Croatian populations originate probably from the <em>Q. petraea</em> introgression.
Highlights
Genus Quercus L. is characterized by high polymorphism, and complex patterns of variation (Burger 1975; Manos et al 1999)
Some taxonomists suppose that the Quercus pubescens Willd. is divided into several species Q. pubescens sensu stricto, Q. brachyphylla Kotschy, Q. congesta C
Since analysis of the amount and distribution of morphological and genetic variations among and within populations of some species can increase our understanding about its evolutionary history and taxonomy, the purpose of this study was to determine morphological and molecular differentiation of Croatian pubescent oak populations using morphometric analysis of the leaves and RAPD-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique (Welsh and McClelland 1990; Williams et al 1990)
Summary
Genus Quercus L. is characterized by high polymorphism, and complex patterns of variation (Burger 1975; Manos et al 1999). Hybridization and introgression are often present, even between morphologically and/or ecologically clearly differentiated species. This makes the taxonomy of the genus very complex and often controversial (Burger 1975; Rushton 1993; Franjiæ 1996). The results of the morphological, cytological and molecular researches of the European oaks of the section Quercus point to close relation and intense gene flow among different species (Dupouey and Badeau 1993; Samuel et al 1995; Bussoti and Grossoni 1997; Aas 1998; Bruschi et al 2000). One of the best examples of such situation is the Quercus pubescens Willd. Some taxonomists suppose that the Quercus pubescens Willd. Q. infectoria Olivier, Q. sicula Borzi and Q. virgiliana /Ten./ Ten. (Schwarz 1964; Trinajstiæ 1974; Pignatti 1997), whereas the others think the differences are not big enough to be recognized as different species (Uzunova et al 1996; Bussoti and Grossoni 1997; Bruschi et al 2000)
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