Phylogenetic and Palynological Study of the Genus Epilobium L. (Onagraceae) in Kurdistan Region-Iraq

Abstract

The phylogeny of the species of Epilobium in Kurdistan Region-Iraq was investigated by using six in-group species: E. anatolicum Hausskn. subsp. anatolicum, E. hirsutum L., E. obscurum Schreber, E. parviflorum Schreber, E. rechingeri Raven., E. tetragonum L. and one out-group related genus: Ludwingia grandiflora (Michx.) Greuter & Burdet, based on trnL-F intergenic region of chloroplast DNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. In addition, the pollen morphology of seven species of Epilobium (the previous mentioned species with E. ponticum Hausskn.), was examined by using Light Microscope (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Individual analysis of trnL and ITS sequence data indicated monophyly of the genus Epilobium, the results of bayesian and maximum parsimony displayed two clades of Epilobium with high supports (bs=100%, pp=1.00). The pollen grains usually tetrads, radially symmetrical, isopolar, numerous, yellow, five species appeared oblate whereas E. rechingeri and E. tetragonum were suboblate; the polar view was triangular and the equatorial view was ellipsoid; their sizes were medium (medium-large in E. hirsutum and E. parviflorum). The apertures were triporate. The exine sculpturing were not obvious.