Phylogenetic analysis of Ziziphora (Lamiaceae) using nuclear (nrITS) and plastid (trnL-F) DNA: suggestions for new arrangements and status changes

Abstract

In this study, Ziziphora taxa grown in Turkey along with those grown in different parts of the world were analyzed with respect to morphological revision and molecular systematic analyses using nuclear ribosomal ITS (nrITS) sequences and the chloroplast (trnL-F) sequences. Both nrITS and trnL-F sequences clearly suggested Ziziphora was a monophyletic genus. Morphological revision mostly confirmed the previous systematic position of the taxa examined, while for some taxa, morphological uncertainties combined with DNA sequence data suggested rearrangements and new taxa. With this respect, some of the unidentified Z. clenopodioides specimens were suggested as potentially 2 new subspecies while the status of Z. clenopodioides subsp. filicaulis was suggested to change from subspecies to species. Interestingly, four Z. tenuior ecotypes from the eastern, central and southern parts of Turkey displayed different nrITS sequences and hence they were suggested as four different new subspecies of Z. tenuior. This is the first report presenting a revised status of Ziziphora L. taxa in Turkey based on molecular systematic analysis, with respect to its related members in different parts of the world.