Comparation of the wild Primula L. (Primulaceae) taxa based on matK gene distirbuted in the Caucasus

In this study, 43 populations belong to 18 Primula L. (Primulaceae) taxa distributed in Caucasus were investigated in terms of matK polymorphism. Plant materials used in this study collected during field study in Turkey and Georgia or obtained from several herbaria in Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia. Total genomic DNA was extracted from silica-dried material and/or herbarium material. matK gene was amplified using universal primers and sequencing by Macrogen Inc. After aligned all the sequences, intraspesific and interspesific relationships were explored by using a phylogenetic program of MEGA5. As a result of the phylogenetic analysis, it was determined that the matK has a length of 1529 to 1541 bp, begins with ATG codon and finishes with TGA codon. Furthermore, P. algida and P. farinifolia are the closest taxa with a 99,8 % similarity level, P. longipes and P. elatior subsp. pallasi are the farest taxa. In addition, statistically significant differences (p<0.005) in the GC % content and Purin/Pirimidin ratio were determined between subg. Aleuritia and subg. Primula. Lastly P. longipes endemic to Turkey includes several base substitutions differing from the rest of Aleuritia members.