Molecular phylogenetic analysis of achillea l. (asteraceae) species grown in Turkey

Aim: The aim of this study is determine the relationship of the Achillea L. taxa distributed in Turkey by phylogenetical analyzing of the ITS regions of the nuclear DNA (nrDNA) Material and Method: The main plant materials used in this study were obtained from herbarium and silica-gel dried samples deposited in Herbarium of İnönü University (INU). In addition, some examples were collected from the field studies. The nrDNA of the plant specimens were isolated, and amplified ITS regions with ITS5A and ITS4 primers by using PCR. DNA sequences of ITS regions have been determined.The analyzes were made with the obtained data and trees showing phylogenetic relationships of the species were made. Results: In this study, 61 samples belonging to 49 species ofgenus Achillea growing in Turkey were studied. The taxonomy of species are evaluated in terms of morphology and molecular phylogenetic. The taxonomy of Achillea at the genus, section and species level is discussed. In genus level, the species A. maritima is replaced under the genus Otanthus as O. maritumus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link. The Turkish Achillea species should be classified under 4 sections (A. sect Achillea, A. sect. Babounya (DC.) O. Hoffm., A. sect. Anthemoideae (DC.) Heimerl. and A. sect. Ptarmica (Mill.) W. D. J. Koch) at the section level. In species level, the species A. sivasica Çelik & Akpulat should be given in subspecies level under A. gypsicola Hub.-Mor. as A. gypsicola Hub.-Mor. subsp. sivasica (Çelik & Akpulat) Arabacı & G.Uzay comb. et stat. nova. Conclusion: As a result, the genus of Achillea is represented by 48 species (54 taxa) belonging to 4 sections in Turkey.