Molecular phylogeny, anatomy, micro-morphology, palynology and numeric taxonomy of the genus Rubia L. (Rubieae, Rubiaceae) in Turkey

Until now, there have not been a detailed study performed on the molecular phylogeny, anatomy, micro-morphology, palynology, and numerical taxonomy of the genus Rubia L. (madder) naturally growing in Turkey. Therefore, in this study, macro- and micro-morphological, anatomical, palynological, molecular pylogenetic, and numerical taxonomic investigations on the taxa belonging to this genus in our country have been carried out. According to the results of the study, the subspecies of R. tenuifolia, subsp. brachypoda, subsp. doniettii ve subsp. tenuifolia, were reduced to synonymy. Sequence analyses of the nuclear DNA (nrDNA) ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) regions showed phylogenetic relationships among the taxa examined. Furthermore, numerical taxonomic analyses (e.g. cluster analysis) based on macro- and micro-morphological, anatomical, and palynological characteristics were elucidated relationships among the taxa. These numerical analyses were used to obtain a phenogram, applying UPGMA algorithm and the Gower's General Similarity Coefficient. In contrast to the palynological traits, anatomical and micro-morphological characters were found to be useful for taxonomic purposes.