Taxonomic study of Viola albida complex based on RAPD data

Abstract

A taxonomic study of Viola albida complex, containing the representative individuals of three taxa, V. albida var. albida, V. albida var. chaerophylloides, and V. albida var. takahashii, was done based on RAPD data. The amplified loci were 476 in total; obtained with 68 universal primers on seven OTUs. Nei's genetic dissimilarity appeared relatively low within individuals of V. albida var. albida and V. albida var. chaerophylloides (0.118-0.171 and 0.051 respectively), however, it was higher in individuals of V. albida var. takahashii (0.348). On the other hand, there is no specific trend in terms of genetic dissimilartiy among taxa, such as between individuals of V. albida var. albida and V. albida var. takahashii, between those of V. albida var. albida and V. albida var. chaerophylloides, and between those of V. albida var. albida and V. albida var. takahashii. The similarity of OTUs studied is high in clustering analysis, so that this result is compatible with the establishment of this complex. All OTUs are clustered within two groups. The individuals of V. albida var. takahashii, however, are clustered both to the group of V. albida var. albida and to the group of V. albida var. chaerophylloides, meaning that the genetic difference is high which would be commensurate with their morphological variations.