Molecular characterization and RAPD analysis of Juniperus species from Iran

J. Kasaian, J. Behravan, M. Hassany, S.A. Emami, F. Shahriari, M.H. Khayyat
Published: June 07, 2011
Genet. Mol. Res. 10(2): 1069-1074
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol10-2gmr1021

Cite this Article:
J. Kasaian, J. Behravan, M. Hassany, S.A. Emami, F. Shahriari, M.H. Khayyat (2011). Molecular characterization and RAPD analysis of Juniperus species from Iran. Genet. Mol. Res. 10(2): 1069-1074. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol10-2gmr1021

About the Authors
J. Kasaian, J. Behravan, M. Hassany, S.A. Emami, F. Shahriari, M.H. Khayyat
Corresponding Author: J. Kasaian
Email: kasaeeianj1@mums.ac.ir

ABSTRACT

The genus Juniperus L. (Cupressaceae), an aromatic evergreen plant, consists of up to 68 species around the world. We classified five species of Juniperus found in Iran using molecular markers to provide a means for molecular identification of Iranian species. Plants were collected (three samples of each species) from two different provinces of Iran (Golestan and East Azarbayejan). The DNA was extracted from the leaves using a Qiagen Dneasy Plant Mini Kit. Amplification was performed using 18 ten-mer RAPD primers. Genetic distances were estimated based on 187 RAPD bands to construct a dendrogram by means of unweighted pair group method of arithmetic means. It was found that J. communis and J. oblonga were differentiated from the other species. Genetic distance values ranged from 0.19 (J. communis and J. oblonga) to 0.68 (J. communis and J. excelsa). Juniperus foetidissima was found to be most similar to J. sabina. Juniperus excelsa subspecies excelsa and J. excelsa subspecies polycarpos formed a distinct group.