Taxonomic Relationships in Turkish Verbascum L. Group A (Scrophulariaceae): Evidence from SDS-PAGE of Seed Proteins and a Numerical Taxonomic Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to clarify the taxonomic relationships of Turkish Verbascum species in Group A by means of seed protein profiles and numerical taxonomic study. Methods: Cluster analysis was carried out by UPGMA on the Nei genetic similarity coefficient using seed protein profiles. A numerical taxonomic study has been conducted on taxonomically problematic species such as V. brachysepalum, V. orientale, V. flabellifolium, V. trapifolium, V. dudleyanum and V. pyroliforme in order to elucidate their taxonomic relationships. For this reason, 14 OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) were investigated and scored on the basis of 20 character states by means of using MVSP software. Results: In this study, all Verbascum species in the Group A in Turkey were investigated by means of morphological, SDS-PAGE and a numerical taxonomic method. The total number of protein band positions observed for each species between 5 and 13. The most similar band pattern was observed in the region of 18 kD-14.4 kD. One band around 14 kD observed among all species studied and an 18 kD were found most of the species. Genetic distances among species were ranged between 0% and 58%. The results of the numerical taxonomic study are supported both morphologic and SDS-pAGE analysis. Conclusion: Depending on the seed protein profiles, numerical taksonomy and morphological characters, our results clarified the taxonomy of Turkish Verbascum (Group A) species. The results of the studies were in broad agreement to the arrangement of these species in Revision of the Genus Verbascum L. (Group A) in Turkey. As well as, their expanded and amplified morphological characters were given for the first time.