Phylogenetic Relationships in Korean Elaeagnus L. Based on nrDNA ITS Sequences

Abstract

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of Korean Elaeagnus L. were conducted using seven species, one variety, one forma and four outgroups to evaluate their relationships and phylogeny. The sequences of internal transcribed spacer regions in nuclear ribosomal DNA were employed to construct phylogenetic relationships using maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian analysis. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that Korean Elaeagnus was a polyphyly. E. umbellata var. coreana formed a subclade with E. umbellata. Additionally, the genetic difference between E. submacrophylla and E. macrophylla was very low. Moreover, E. submacrophylla formed a branch from E. macrophylla, indicating that E. submacrophylla can be regarded as a variety. However, several populations of this species were not clustered as a single clade; therefore, further study should be conducted using other molecular markers. Although E. glabra f. oxyphylla was distinct in morphological characters of leaf shape with E. glabra. But E. glabra f. oxyphylla was formed one clade by molecular phylogenetic with E. glabra. Additionally, this study clearly demonstrated that E. pungens occurs in Korea, although it was previously reported near South Korea in Japan and China. According to the results of ITS regions analyses, it showed a resolution and to verify the relationship between interspecies of Korean Elaeagnus.