Relationships among Turkish Epilobium L. and Chamerion (Rafinesque) Rafinesque ex Holub (Onagraceae) taxa inferred from its profile

In this study, nrDNA ITS regions of4 Chamerion (Rafinesque) Rafinesque ex Holub.and 22 Epilobium L. taxa which are widespread in our country were firstly investigated in detail and assessed in a taxonomic stand point according to nucleotide sequences. The plant materials used in the study were collected between 2014-2015 from natural habitats of the taxa. The plant materials were pressed and deposited as herbarium specimens in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Department of Biology Herbarium. The total genomic DNAs of the taxa which are used for Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) were obtained from herbarium samples or healthy, mature and fresh leaves that were dried in silica gel. CTAB method was modified and used in obtaining of genomic DNA from stored materials. Relationships of the examined Chamerion and Epilobium were determined using analyses with MEGA version 5.05 software. In this study, molecular features of Chamerion and Epilobium taxa which are spreading in our country were investigated in detail for the first time. It was determined that the nrDNA ITS region of the studied Chameriontaxa is 616 base pairs in length. Besides, the rate of % G-C was found to vary between 53,4-54,1. It was defined that the nrDNA ITS region of the studiedEpilobium taxa is 616-620 base pairs in length. In addition, the rate of % G-C wasfound to vary between 55,3-56,8. According to ITS data, it was revealed that members of the Chamerion and Epilobium are grouped into different branches inphylogenetic trees and these taxa are sharply different from the out-group. The analyses also support the views that Chamerion and Epilobiumis monophyletic.