The use of the intergenic spacer region psbA-trnH of the chloroplast genome for the analysis of the taxonomic position and genetic polymorphism of the Ukrainian populations of Tulipa quercetorum Klokov et Zoz

Abstract

Aim. Tulipa quercetorum is included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine as a vulnerable species. The International Botanical Taxonomy considers T. quercetorum synonymous with T. sylvestris, a wide-ranging polymorphic species. The necessity and type of conservation measures aimed at preserving Ukrainian populations of T. quercetorum depend on its taxonomic interpretation. Accordingly, we used the chloroplast marker psbA-trnH to analyze the taxonomic status of the Ukrainian populations of T. quercetorum. Methods. PCR amplification, sequencing of the psbA-trnH spacer region, and bioinformatic analysis. Results. We have sequenced psbA-trnH of four accessions of T. quercetorum representing different regions of its distribution area in Ukraine. Comparison with the sequences of T. sylvestris s. l. showed that the differences in the psbA-trnH spacer are mainly represented by with oligonucleotide indels. Three out of four samples of T. quercetorum from Ukrainian populations contain a specific variant of inversion in the loop region of the 3' UTR of psbA mRNA, which is not characteristic for samples of T. sylvestris s. l. Conclusions. The data obtained indicate the genetic uniqueness of Ukrainian populations of T. quercetorum, however, for the accurate determination of its taxonomic status additional molecular markers, preferably of nuclear localization, are required.