The morphological and molecular revision of the genus Vicia L. (Fabaceae) growing in the South Eastern Anatolia region

This study examines Vicia L. species which grow in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. As part of this research, morphological and molecular (DNA sequencing) studies were conducted on taxa examples of species.For this, approximately 580 samples were collected during fieldwork between 2013 and 2014, and the necessary studies were carried out on these samples. Also via this research, V. monantha Retz. subsp. monantha Retz., which are unknown to have spread, and V. caesarea Boiss. & Bal., an endemic species, were detected in the region.According to Davis & Plitmann (1970), there are approximately 30 taxa growing in the region. With our study, the number of taxa is altered into 36.In morphological studies, approximately 50 characteristics such as leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds are examined and measured. As a result of morphological studies, similarities and differences of taxa were identified and a detailed inventory was developed. In addition, using a geographic and ecological mapping study, spreading of the species in the region was reorganized. Endangered categories of species at regional scale were identified. Main threat elements for species seen in fieldwork were determined as overgrazing and unconscious land clearing. Section and species keys were prepared. Synonyms, type samples, updated descriptions, flowering time, phytogeography, being endemic or not, locations and photographs of taxa were presented.In molecular studies, employing Lefort et. al. (1998) method, and sellecting Vicia L. taxa as internal group, and species such as Lathyrus L. taxa Lathyrus inconspicuous L. and Lathyrus cassius Boiss. as external group, gDNA isolation was carried out. By using ITS (Internal Transcribed Species) nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) region sequences (which is commonly used in the literature and its reliability is proven) and trnL (Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Leucine) chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) region sequences as molecular markers, morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of Vicia L. species (grown in Southeastern Anatolia region) were conducted. For molecular evolutionary analyses, Mega version 5.1. Beta 2 program was used. As a result of the study, it was found that trees created by analysis of ITS region, which includes more polymorphic region has systematically provided more reliable results than those created by analysis of trnL region. However, trnL region has successfully carried out the separation of species which are very similar to each other. Morphological separations were supported by DNA sequence studies. Key Words: Vicia L., South Eastern Anatolia region, Fabaceae, Morphology, Molecular phylogeny, TrnL, ITS gene region.