Plant Genetic Research
Scientific Journal

Determining the Genetic Diversity of Some Iranian Alyssum spp. Species Using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Sequences

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Akram Veisi 1
Hamed Khodayari 2
Kourosh Kavousi 3

1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Department Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

3 Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/pgr.2024.11.2.10
Abstract
The genus Alyssum L., a member of the Brassicaceae family, comprises approximately 170 to 195 species worldwide, including 35 taxa native to Iran, 28 recognized as distinct species and 7 varieties. Alyssum is notable for its ecological diversity and pharmacological potential, serving as a valuable reservoir of biodiversity and traditional medicinal applications. Several species have been historically used in traditional medicine, particularly for the treatment of rabies, coughs, and as sedatives. Despite growing scientific interest, the phylogenetic relationships within the genus remain inadequately resolved, largely due to morphological homoplasy and polyphyly observed in key sections such as Odontarrhena and Meniocus. To overcome these challenges, molecular markers have become essential tools in systematic studies, using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2) proving especially useful information in resolving complex taxonomic relationships. This study represents a pioneering effort to conduct a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Iranian Alyssum species using ITS sequence data, with the aim of clarifying taxonomic ambiguities and illuminating their evolutionary relationships.

Keywords

Phylogeny
DNA sequence
Flora
ITS region
Plant Genetic Research
Volume 11, Issue 2
December 2024
Pages 155-166

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