The taxonomical revision of genus cota j.gay (asteraceae) in turkey

In this study, morphological, palynological, molecular and cytogenetical characters have been discussed. The identification keys, descriptions and geographical distribution maps of taxa belonging to genus Cota J. Gay (Asteraceae) have been presented. Cota is given as one of three sections of the Anthemis in Flora of Turkey. As a result of recent studies sect. Cota have been elevated to genus level, and then all taxa attributed to this section transfered to the new genus. Genus Cota is represented by 22 taxa in the Flora of Turkey. A new species of the genus Cota has been described as Cota hamzaoglui U. Özbek & Vural. Cota tinctoria L. var. euxina (Boiss.) Grierson and C. tinctoria L. var. virescens Grierson has been arised to the species level as Cota euxina (Boiss.) U.Özbek & Vural and C. virescens (Grierson) U.Özbek & Vural. C. melanolepis Boiss. did not find throughout the political borders of our country, so it has been excluded from the list. As a result of this study Cota contains 22 taxa. The phytogeographic region for all species has been proposed. The endemisity of C. melanoloma Trautv. subsp. melanoloma and C. wiedemanniana (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Holub has not been confirmed, although they are endemic due to Flora of Turkey. C. fulvida Boiss., which is placed in DD category according to Red Data Book of Turkish Plants, has been collected for first time from another locality except of type locality. Results of RAPD and SDS-PAGE data have been approved the differences between the taxa. The molecular studies due to the taxa of this genus support the morphological features. Palinological characters of Cota species are very similar. The type of pollen grains are tricolporate, the shape of pollen grains are prolate-spheroidal and oblate-spheroidal, and ornamentations are echinate. The chromosome number of the examined taxa has been indicated as 2n=18.