A taxonomic investigation on Convolvulus L. (Convolvulaceae) species in Turkey

In this research, morphological characters of 39 Convolvulus L. taxa which were collected or examined in situ between the years 2006-2009 from different localities of Türkiye were investigated. Additionally, palynological, DAMD-PCR and PCR-RFLP based DNA analyses were used on various Convolvulus spp. (C. oleifolius Desr. var. oleifolius, Convolvulus oleifolius Desr. var. deserti Pamp. C. × pseudocompactus C. Aykurt & Sümbül, C. holosericeus Bieb. subsp. holosericeus, C. holosericeus Bieb. subsp. macrocalycinus Hausskn. & Bornm. ex Bornm., C. × turcicus C. Aykurt & Sümbül, C. × peshmenii C. Aykurt & Sümbül, C. compactus Boiss., C. phrygius Bornm., C. assyriacus Griseb., C. libanoticus Boiss., C. cataonicus Boiss. & Hausskn. ex Boiss., C. carduchorum Davis and C. pilosellifolius Desr.) because it was difficult to distinguish these species only according to their morphological features.The genus Convolvulus, which was represented at 36 taxa in Flora of Turkey, was evaluated under 39 taxa by being divided two groups in the study. Three new hybrid taxa, C. × pseudocompactus, C. × turcicus and C. × peshmenii which belongs to this genus are defined for the first time in this study. In addition, two varieties belonging to species C. oleifolius were recorded for the first time for the Flora of Turkey. C. phrygius and C. pulvinatus species are indicated as closely related species in Flora of Turkey, which were combined under the name of C. phrygius as a result of field observations and data obtained from morphological, palynological and molecular analysis.In the study, new taxonomic characters which had not been previously used in the Turkish Flora were also determined. Based on these detailed morphological differences, a useful identification key has been prepared for the Convolvulus taxa, distributed in Turkey. The morphological descriptions were supported by detailed hand drawings. Besides, we determined new localities in addition the known distribution areas of the taxa. Palynological characters of the taxa were determined by palynological studies. The PCR-based DNA analysis in this study was the first investigation made to highlight the taxonomic differences between genetic materials of Convolvulus species in Turkey. By evaluating data obtained from DNA analysis, the genetic relationships between Convolvulus species were established.