Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-05-19T20:50:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Warita Alves de Melo - 2014.pdf: 2324180 bytes, checksum: ceadfecb6355d48562897ba5ed60e072 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-05-20T14:02:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Warita Alves de Melo - 2014.pdf: 2324180 bytes, checksum: ceadfecb6355d48562897ba5ed60e072 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-20T14:02:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Warita Alves de Melo - 2014.pdf: 2324180 bytes, checksum: ceadfecb6355d48562897ba5ed60e072 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-09-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Tabebuia roseoalba (RIDL.) Sandwith (Bignoniaceae) is widely distributed in Neotropical seasonally dry forests, occurring mainly from Northeast towards the Central West and Southeast Brazil, and also in Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru. The phylogeography of this species may help us to understand how historical events influenced its genetic diversity and in the current geographic distribution of seasonally dry forests. The results were based on the sequencing of three chloroplast intergenic spacers (psbA-trnH, trnC-ycf6 and trnStrnG2S) and the nuclear ribosomal region (nrDNA) (ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2). We sampled 18 populations (235 individuals) in North, Central West and Southeast. The three chloroplast regions generated a fragment of 1,519 base pairs and 37 haplotypes. We found high haplotype diversity (h = 0.839) and low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00610 SD = 0.00311) and were found. A fragment of 506 base pairs was generated for nrDNA and 14 haplotypes were identified. The haplotype diversity (h = 0.336) was lower than chloroplast diversity but nucleotide diversity (π = 0.01669 SD = 0.00857) was higher. Populations of Tabebuia rosealba are highly differentiated (FST = 0. 684; p = 0.001) with low gene flow (Nm < 1.0) among all population pairs. Our results also showed significant population reduction followed by expansion (Mismatch Distribution SSD = 0.20746; p = 0.0002, Tajima D = - 1.766; p = 0.008, Fs = - 23.702; p = 0.001), and the Extended Bayesian Skyline Plot (EBSP) also showed population reduction. Coalescent dated tree showed an ancient time to most recent ancestor (TMRCA) dated from ~4.9 Ma (CI 95% 1.9 Ma) in the Pliocene. Both the median-joining network and the coalescent tree showed evidences of incomplete lineage sorting. Our data show that the current pattern of diversity found so far is in consonance with a wide distribution of this species in the past, strongly suggesting that the climate changes of the Quaternary Period had strongly influenced the genetic diversity pattern and the geographical distribution of the species. / Tabebuia roseoalba (RIDL.) Sandwith (Bignoniaceae) é amplamente distribuída em florestas estacionais semideciduais e deciduais neotropicais, do Nordeste para o Centro- Oeste e Sudeste do Brasil, sendo também encontrada no Paraguai, Bolívia e Peru. Conhecer o padrão filogeográfico desta espécie nos ajuda a entender quais eventos históricos influenciaram na atual distribuição geográfica das florestas estacionais. Sendo assim, estamos interessados em compreender os efeitos das mudanças climáticas do período quaternário sobre os atuais padrões de diversidade genética e distribuição geográfica da espécie T. roseoalba e das florestas estacionais. Os nossos resultados foram baseados em três regiões intergênicas cloroplastidiais (psbA-trnH, trnC-ycf6 e trnStrnG2S) e uma região ribossômica nuclear (nrDNA) (ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2). Foram amostrados 235 indivíduos distribuídos em 18 populações coletadas nas regiões Norte, Centro-Oeste e Sudeste. As três regiões cloroplastidiais concatenadas geraram um fragmento de 1519 pares de bases, a diversidade haplotípica foi alta (h = 0,839) e a diversidade nucleotídica foi baixa (π = 0,00610 +/- 0,00311) e foram encontrados 37 haplótipos. Obteve-se um fragmento de 506 pares de bases para a região nuclear, uma diversidade haplotípica menor (h = 0,336) uma diversidade nucleotídica maior (π = 0,01669+/-0,00857) e 14 haplótipos foram identificados. Encontrou-se uma alta diferenciação entre as populações (FST = 0,684; p = 0,001), demonstrando insignificativo fluxo gênico. Foi encontrado sinal de retração seguido de expansão populacional (Distribuição de diferenças par a par SSD = 0,20746, p = 0,0002; D de Tajima D = -1,766, p = 0,008; teste de Fu FS = -23,706, p = 0,001), a análise de Extended Bayesian Skyline Plot (EBSP) também foi significativa, porém o índice de Raggedness não foi significativo (r = 0,029; p = 0,999). O ancestral comum mais recente entre as linhagens foi datado a cerca de ~4,9 ± 1,9 Ma (Ma) antes do presente no Plioceno. As redes de haplótipos e a árvore de coalescência mostraram não haver relação filogenética das linhagens e o espaço geográfico, evidenciando possivelmente arranjo incompleto de linhagem. Os nossos dados mostram que o atual padrão de diversidade encontrado é condizente com uma ampla distribuição desta espécie no passado, sugerindo que as oscilações climáticas do período Quaternário teriam influenciado grandemente o padrão da diversidade genética encontrada, a distribuição geográfica da espécie e das florestas estacionais neotropicais.

ABSTRACT GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION OF LIQUIDAMBAR ORIENTALIS MILL. VARIETIES WITH RESPECT TO matK REGION OF CHLOROPLAST GENOME &Ouml / ZD&amp / #272 / LEK, Asli M.S., Department of Biology Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Zeki Kaya August 2007, 87 pages Liquidambar L. genus is represented with mainly 4 species in the world and one of these species, Turkish sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.) which is a relictendemic species is naturally found in only southwestern Turkey, mainly in Mugla Province. The limited distribution of species with two disputed varieties (var. integriloba Fiori and var. orientalis) and increased anthropogenic threats to its genetic resources signify the importance of studying genetic diversity in the species to have better conservation and management programs. For this purpose, 18 different populations were sampled throughout the species range and matK region of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) was sequenced to assess the genetic structure of the species. Turkish Liquidambar orientalis populations were evaluated at two categories: variety level and geographic level. Also, two sectors of matK region were examined to assess which part of the region was more variable. All molecular analysis was conducted in this study by using MEGA version 3.1 and Arlequin 2.000 softwares. v Moleculer diversity analysis indicated that the population located in Fethiye- G&uuml / nl&uuml / kbasi district has the highest number of polymorphic sites. This population is also genetically the most distant from the others (average genetic distance 0.0038). Among the studied varieties, the average genetic distance within var. integriloba (0.0016) which also includes population Fethiye-G&uuml / nl&uuml / kbasi was the greatest. Among the geographic regions, Mugla-1 including Fethiye-K&ouml / ycegiz-Aydin district as well as population Fethiye-G&uuml / nl&uuml / kbasi showed the highest average genetic distances within the region with a value of 0.0015. According to the molecular variance results, among varieties and among geographic regions, there was no significant differentiation, but great amount of total variation was found (~86%) within Turkish sweet gum populations. With respect to the Fst values among varieties, the highest genetic differentiation was observed between var. orientalis and unknown group (0.040). Furthermore, based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, Turkish populations of L. orientalis have genetically closer to USA relative (L. styraciflua L.) than Chinese relatives (L. acalycina H.T Chang and L. formosana Hance). In conclusion, 10 Turkish sweet gum populations were found to be important for conservation issues. Furthermore, eight of these located in Mugla province and sixth of them belong to var. integriloba. Especially Fethiye-G&uuml / nl&uuml / kbasi, Marmaris&Ccedil / etibeli and Mugla-Kiyra populations should be included in either insitu or exsitu or in both conservation programs in the future.

Calamagrostis phragmitoides belongs to taxonomically complex C. purpurea aggregate with circumpolar distribution area. The relations between morphologically similar taxa of this aggregate are not clear. Populations of C. purpurea agg. from Central Europe, Scandinavia and Siberia (including one plant from the North America) were genetically studied (cpDNA, ITS, ploidy level by FCM). Allozyme and morfological variability of populations C. phragmitoides and morphologically similar C. canescens was also studied in the Czech Republic. This study was supported by grant SGA PrF JU in 2014.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:38:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 THAIS GUIMARAES DE CASTRO.pdf: 13614820 bytes, checksum: 32a8409344e14615a4b71779806ea4b9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-09 / Tibouchina papyrus (Melastomataceae) is an endemic tree of cerrado rupestre, restricted to Serra Dourada (SD) and Pirineus (SP), in Goiás, and Natividade (NT) in Tocantins. This work s objective was to study the variability and genetic structure of T. papyrus, based on the polymorphism of non-coding regions of chloroplast DNA. We sampled 16 individuals in six subpopulations of T. papyrus in three localities of occurrence. The individuals were sequenced for the intergenic regions psbA/trnH, trnC/ycf6 and trnS/trnG, whose fragments were 268pb, 294pb and 580pb, respectively. For the 96 individuals studied, we found 11 different haplotypes for the three sequenced regions combined. Serra Dourada showed a higher genetic diversity (h = 0.837; = 0.0012 ± 0.0008), followed by Pirineus (h = 0.762, = 0.0012 ± 0.0009) and Natividade (h = 0.591, = 0,0013 ± 0.0009). Network program analysis showed groups geographically distinct, no sharing of haplotypes between localities, and the analysis of variance showed a high differentiation between subpopulations (!ST = 0.684; p <0.001), with the largest variation occurring between populations (68.39% AMOVA). There is no sign of recent retraction in populations size followed by expansion (Tajima D and Mismatch Distribution). Despite the high genetic diversity shown in this study, the populations of T. papyrus probably are historically isolated and its expansion is restricted by the distribution of favorable habitat, which represents a risk to long-term persistence of populations. / Tibouchina papyrus (Melastomataceae) é uma árvore endêmica de cerrado rupestre, restrita às Serras Dourada (SD) e dos Pirineus (SP), em Goiás, e Natividade (NT) em Tocantins. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a variabilidade e estrutura genética de T. papyrus, baseada no polimorfismo de regiões não codificantes do DNA de cloroplasto. Foram amostrados 16 indivíduos em seis subpopulações de T. papyrus nas três localidades de ocorrência da espécie. Os indivíduos foram sequenciados para as regiões intergênicas psbA/trnH, trnC/ycf6 e trnS/trnG, cujos fragmentos apresentaram 268pb, 294pb e 580pb, respectivamente. Para os 96 indivíduos estudados, foram encontrados 11 diferentes haplótipos para as três regiões sequenciadas combinadas. Serra dourada apresentou maior diversidade genética (h = 0,837; &#960; = 0,0012 ± 0,0008), seguida de Pirineus (h = 0,762, &#960; = 0,0012 ± 0,0009) e Natividade (h = 0,591, &#960; = 0,0013 ± 0,0009). A análise no programa Network mostrou agrupamentos geograficamente distintos, sem compartilhamento de haplótipos entre localidades, e a análise de variância mostrou uma alta diferenciação entre as subpopulações (!ST = 0,684; p < 0,001), sendo que a maior variação ocorre entre subpopulações (68.39%, AMOVA). Não há sinal de retração recente no tamanho das subpopulações seguido por expansão (Tajima D e Mismatch Distribution). Apesar da alta diversidade genética indicada neste trabalho, as subpopulações de T. papyrus provavelmente estão isoladas historicamente e sua expansão é restrita pela distribuição do habitat favorável o que representa um risco a persistência em longo prazo das subpopulações.

O Brasil abrange grande diversidade de espécies da família Orchidaceae, onde o gênero Cattleya se destaca devido a reconhecida importância horticultural e espécies altamente relacionadas de difícil delimitação taxonômica. Anteriormente, Cattleya loddigesii e C. harrisoniana foram reconhecidas como espécies distintas devido à descontinuidade morfológica, fenológica e distribuição geográfica. Entretanto, esses critérios não são suficientes para determinar com clareza a delimitação dessas espécies, uma vez que existem populações com características morfológicas e fenológicas intermediárias consideradas introgredidas. Com o intuito de esclarecer o relacionamento entre C. loddigesii e C. harrisoniana, a relação das populações introgredidas, a estruturação das populações, bem como padrões filogeográficos envolvidos, análises filogeográficas baseadas em sequencias de DNA de cloroplasto (cpDNA) e DNA nuclear ribossomal (ITS) foram utilizadas. No total, foram amostrados 130 indivíduos das duas espécies distribuídos em 17 populações. Os resultados obtidos suportam a distinção entre as plantas, onde a árvore de estimativa de tempo de divergência para ITS separou mais evidentemente em clados distintos as duas espécies, corroborando a alta estruturação encontrada pela AMOVA (&Phi;CT = 0,597), distribuição haplotípica e análises bayesianas. Apesar disso, os resultados para cpDNA não evidenciaram claramente essa distinção. Os resultados obtidos pelo software Migrate também suportam a distinção das espécies e, ainda, sugerem que as populações introgredidas são mais relacionadas com C. loddigesii. Ademais, os dados sugerem que a estruturação populacional encontrada segue o modelo de isolamento por distância, assim como sugeriram as análises de clados aninhados - NCPA e bayesiana. Ademais, os resultados de estruturação para ambas as regiões, e as possíveis incongruências entre os resultados de cpDNA e ITS estão indicando que existe maior número de indivíduos híbridos e introgressão, necessitando de novos estudos para corroborar essas evidências. Uma das possíveis razões pelo amplo compartilhamento de haplótipos, principalmente para cpDNA, pode ter sido devido à conectividade mantida através das populações introgredidas. Além disso, a reprodução alogâmica, a dispersão por abelhas e a dispersão de sementes pelo vento a longas distâncias podem também ter contribuído para a conexão entre elas. Os resultados da reconstrução filogeográfica, bem como o número de migrantes sugerem que as populações se dispersaram em direção ao Norte-Sul em períodos glaciais do Pleistoceno. Além disso, a alta diversidade e a diferenciação das populações do extremo Sul de SP indicam indícios de uma possível zona de refúgio neste local. / Brazil covers a wide range of species of the orchid family, where the Cattleya genus stands out due to a recognized horticultural importance and highly related species difficult taxonomic delimitation. Previously, Cattleya loddigesii and C. harrisoniana were recognized as distinct species due to morphological, phenological and geographical distribution discontinuity. However, these criteria are not sufficient to determine clearly the identification of these species, as there are populations with intermediate morphological and phenological characteristics considered introgressed. In order to clarify the relationship between C. loddigesii and C. harrisoniana, the ratio of introgressed populations, the population structure and the phylogeographic patterns involved, phylogeographic analyses based on chloroplast DNA sequences (cpDNA) and ribosomal nuclear DNA (ITS), were used. Overall, we sampled 130 individuals of the two species distributed into 17 populations. Results support the distinction between plants, where the tree of divergence time estimate for ITS separated the two species more clearly into distinct clades, corroborating the high structure found by AMOVA (&Phi;CT = 0.597), haplotype distribution and Bayesian analyses. Nevertheless, the results for cpDNA did not demonstrated that distinction clearly. The results obtained by the Migrate software also support the species distinction and suggest that the introgressed populations are more closely related to C. loddigesii. Furthermore, the data suggest that the population structure found follows the isolation by distance model, as also suggested in the nested clades - NCPA and Bayesian analyses. Furthermore, the population structure results for both regions, plus possible inconsistencies between the cpDNA and ITS results, may indicate that there is a greater number of hybrid individuals and introgression, requiring new studies to corroborate this evidence. One of the possible reasons for the broad sharing of haplotypes, especially for cpDNA, may have been due to connectivity maintained through introgressed populations. Furthermore, the allogamous reproduction, the dispersal by bees and dispersal of seeds by wind over long distances may also have contributed to the connection between them. The results of phylogeographic reconstruction, as well as the number of migrants suggest that the population is dispersed towards North-South in glacial periods of the Pleistocene. In addition, the high diversity and differentiation of populations of the Southern tip of SP indicate evidence of a possible refuge zone at this area.

O Brasil abrange grande diversidade de espécies da família Orchidaceae, onde o gênero Cattleya se destaca devido a reconhecida importância horticultural e espécies altamente relacionadas de difícil delimitação taxonômica. Anteriormente, Cattleya loddigesii e C. harrisoniana foram reconhecidas como espécies distintas devido à descontinuidade morfológica, fenológica e distribuição geográfica. Entretanto, esses critérios não são suficientes para determinar com clareza a delimitação dessas espécies, uma vez que existem populações com características morfológicas e fenológicas intermediárias consideradas introgredidas. Com o intuito de esclarecer o relacionamento entre C. loddigesii e C. harrisoniana, a relação das populações introgredidas, a estruturação das populações, bem como padrões filogeográficos envolvidos, análises filogeográficas baseadas em sequencias de DNA de cloroplasto (cpDNA) e DNA nuclear ribossomal (ITS) foram utilizadas. No total, foram amostrados 130 indivíduos das duas espécies distribuídos em 17 populações. Os resultados obtidos suportam a distinção entre as plantas, onde a árvore de estimativa de tempo de divergência para ITS separou mais evidentemente em clados distintos as duas espécies, corroborando a alta estruturação encontrada pela AMOVA (&Phi;CT = 0,597), distribuição haplotípica e análises bayesianas. Apesar disso, os resultados para cpDNA não evidenciaram claramente essa distinção. Os resultados obtidos pelo software Migrate também suportam a distinção das espécies e, ainda, sugerem que as populações introgredidas são mais relacionadas com C. loddigesii. Ademais, os dados sugerem que a estruturação populacional encontrada segue o modelo de isolamento por distância, assim como sugeriram as análises de clados aninhados - NCPA e bayesiana. Ademais, os resultados de estruturação para ambas as regiões, e as possíveis incongruências entre os resultados de cpDNA e ITS estão indicando que existe maior número de indivíduos híbridos e introgressão, necessitando de novos estudos para corroborar essas evidências. Uma das possíveis razões pelo amplo compartilhamento de haplótipos, principalmente para cpDNA, pode ter sido devido à conectividade mantida através das populações introgredidas. Além disso, a reprodução alogâmica, a dispersão por abelhas e a dispersão de sementes pelo vento a longas distâncias podem também ter contribuído para a conexão entre elas. Os resultados da reconstrução filogeográfica, bem como o número de migrantes sugerem que as populações se dispersaram em direção ao Norte-Sul em períodos glaciais do Pleistoceno. Além disso, a alta diversidade e a diferenciação das populações do extremo Sul de SP indicam indícios de uma possível zona de refúgio neste local. / Brazil covers a wide range of species of the orchid family, where the Cattleya genus stands out due to a recognized horticultural importance and highly related species difficult taxonomic delimitation. Previously, Cattleya loddigesii and C. harrisoniana were recognized as distinct species due to morphological, phenological and geographical distribution discontinuity. However, these criteria are not sufficient to determine clearly the identification of these species, as there are populations with intermediate morphological and phenological characteristics considered introgressed. In order to clarify the relationship between C. loddigesii and C. harrisoniana, the ratio of introgressed populations, the population structure and the phylogeographic patterns involved, phylogeographic analyses based on chloroplast DNA sequences (cpDNA) and ribosomal nuclear DNA (ITS), were used. Overall, we sampled 130 individuals of the two species distributed into 17 populations. Results support the distinction between plants, where the tree of divergence time estimate for ITS separated the two species more clearly into distinct clades, corroborating the high structure found by AMOVA (&Phi;CT = 0.597), haplotype distribution and Bayesian analyses. Nevertheless, the results for cpDNA did not demonstrated that distinction clearly. The results obtained by the Migrate software also support the species distinction and suggest that the introgressed populations are more closely related to C. loddigesii. Furthermore, the data suggest that the population structure found follows the isolation by distance model, as also suggested in the nested clades - NCPA and Bayesian analyses. Furthermore, the population structure results for both regions, plus possible inconsistencies between the cpDNA and ITS results, may indicate that there is a greater number of hybrid individuals and introgression, requiring new studies to corroborate this evidence. One of the possible reasons for the broad sharing of haplotypes, especially for cpDNA, may have been due to connectivity maintained through introgressed populations. Furthermore, the allogamous reproduction, the dispersal by bees and dispersal of seeds by wind over long distances may also have contributed to the connection between them. The results of phylogeographic reconstruction, as well as the number of migrants suggest that the population is dispersed towards North-South in glacial periods of the Pleistocene. In addition, the high diversity and differentiation of populations of the Southern tip of SP indicate evidence of a possible refuge zone at this area.

Liquidambar L. genus are represented with four species in the world and one of these species, Turkish sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis Miller) is naturally found only in southwestern Turkey with limited distribution in Mugla Province. The presence of increasing threats to its genetic resources signifies the importance of studying the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity in this relict endemic species. In this study, 18 different populations were sampled throughout the species range and noncoding transfer ribonucleic acid (trn) region of chloroplast DNA was studied to asses the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity. Experimental studies included the extraction of DNA, amplification and sequencing of the trn region of the chloroplast DNA. Molecular evolutionary analysis was done by using MEGA version 3.1 and Arlequin 2.000 softwares. Sequences from six other species of Liquidambar (L. styraciflua from USA, L. macrophylla from Mexico, L. formosana from Vietnam, L. acalycina from China, L. formosana from China and L. acalycina from USA) in the database were also included in the analysis. Moleculer diversity results show that population located in Mugla-Yatagan district has the highest number of polymorphic sites among the other populations of Turkish sweet gum. Population located in Marmaris-G&uuml / nn&uuml / cek has an average genetic distance value of 0.0032 within population, being the highest within the studied populations of Turkish sweet gum. The average genetic distance within variety orientalis (0.0011) was the greatest among all the varieties, but the most separated or divergent populations were members of variety integriloba. For both varieties and geographic groups, average diversity within was found to be the greatest portion (greater than 80%) of the total sequence diversity. The geographic groups located in Denizli and Mugla-Yatagan showed the highest average genetic distances within location, with a value of 0.0014. The genetic distance between the closest neighbor of Turkish sweet gum, American L. styraciflua was 0.0002, whereas the genetic distance between the most distant neighbors (Vietnamese L. formosana, Chinese L. acalycina and L. formosana) was 0.0051. Based on the molecular diversity analysis, seven populations were found to be important for conservation issues and two of them located in Marmaris have the highest priority. The most variant geographic groups are located in Denizli and Mugla-Yatagan districts. These populations could be considered as good candidates for future in-situ or ex-situ conservation programs

More than half of the Pinaceae is including in genus Pinus covers the large parts of vegetation of northern hemisphere. The Anatolian Black Pine is one of the subspecies of European Black Pine, growing naturally as a widespread mid elevation species of Taurus, western Anatolian and northern Anatolian Mountains of Turkey. Although it is disputed that there are 5 varieties of Anatolian black pine but three of these are well recognized. These are Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana var. pallasiana, Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. pallasiana var. pyramidata (pyrimidal black pine) and Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. pallasiana var. seneriana. To determine the genetic relationship between Anatolian black pine and its well recognized varieties, 3 different taxa of Anatolian black pine (well recognized varieties) were sampled in the natural range of species and non-coding trn regions of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) were sequenced to assess the genetic structure of the species. Three sectors of trn region were examined. Analysis was assessed with using MEGA version 4.0 and Arlequin 2.000 softwares. Considering genetic diversity of three Anatolian black pine taxa with respect to trn regions and parsimonic sites, the result showed that P. nigra subsp pallasiana var seneriana was more polymorphic than other two taxa. Also, the most distant taxon that show differences in trn sequences when compared to other taxa was P. nigra subp pallasiana var pyramidata. The constructed phylogenetic tree showed that individuals of P.nigra subsp pallasiana var pyramidata were grouped together. However, other two taxa showed a dispersed allocation in the tree. This result indicates that var pyramidata was the most distant taxon. According to present study, there is no clear speciation between varieties and var pallasiana. The differences between them may be a result of mutation which may have occured in the genes coding for growth and form of Anatolian black pine.

Abies is the second largest genus of family Pinaceae (after Pinus), consisting of about 51 species, all native to the Northern Hemisphere. There are six native taxa belonging to this genus growing in pure and mixed stands in Turkey. Abies cilicica subsp. isaurica, Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornm&uuml / lleriana, Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani, Abies x olcayana are endemic and considered as lower risk (LR) species. To determine the genetic relationships in Turkish firs, 18 populations of different subspecies of Abies were collected from different regions of Turkey and non-coding trn regions of chloroplast DNA were sequenced to assess the genetic structure of the studied species. trnL, trnF and trnV region were examined. All the trn regions of Abies species in the world (aproximately 300 species that found in the IPNI (The International Plant Names Index) were investigated in the database of NCBI. The available trn sequences of 23 Abies species worldwide included into the analyses. All analyses to estimate molecular diversity parameters were carried out with the MEGA software. The constructed phylogenetic tree with the trn sequences revealed that Turkish firs formed a monophyletic group with almost no sequence divergence. v Since sequence data for all three sectors of trn were not available from the NCBI data base, the phylogentic analysis with the sequence data of trnL regions were compartively analyzed in all firs. The results showed that Turkish- European species formed a single clade, which clearly differentiated them from the others, such as Japanese species, A. veitchii. Similarly, according to the sequence data of trnF, Turkish fir species were grouped together and distinctly separated from Asian-American Fir species. The results suggest that all Turkish firs may have evolved from single ancestral fir species, most likely from Abies nordmanniana.

Pineacea is the largest family of conifers that includes 51 species of Abies which is the second largest genus after Pinus. There are six native taxa in Turkey belonging to this genus. Four of these taxa (Abies cilicica subsp. isaurica, Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornm&uuml / lleriana, Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani, Abies x olcayana) are endemic and considered as low risk (LR) species according to the IUCN criteria. To determine the phylogenetic relationship in Abies spp. in Turkey, 18 populations of different taxa were collected from their natural distribution areas in Turkey. The matK gene regions of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) were studied comparatively to reveal the genetic relationship among Turkish fir species. The available sequences from the NCBI database for the matK region of the other Abies species in the world were also investigated v comparatively with the sequences from Turkish firs. With the matK sequence data, a phylogenetic tree was constructed for the fir species and the molecular diversity parameters such as conserved and variable sites, nucleotide diversity, and evolutionary divergence were estimated using the MEGA software. The results indicated that there are no variable sites among Turkish firs with regard to matK regions of cpDNA. It appears that the matK region of cpDNA for Turkish firs is highly conserved. Since sequence data for all matK regions were not available from the NCBI data base, the phylogentic analysis with the sequence data of matK were comparatively analyzed in all firs including Turkish firs. According to matK1 region, the results showed that there were three major clades. One of the clades included all Turkish fir taxa and one species from European firs, A.numidica / however, A.holopylla, A.firma, A.veitchii, A.sachalinensis, A.nephrolepis, A.lasiocarpa, A.koreana, A.homolephis, A.fraseri, A.fargesii, A.sibirica and A.fabri formed in another clade. In addition to this, A.mariesii, A.hidalgensis, A.bracteata, A.alba formed in different major clade. According to matK1 region the results showed that Turkish firs and European firs are closer to each other. Furthermore, based on matK2 region, the results indicated that Turkish firs formed a monophyletic group.The other fir species, with respect to matK2 regions, formed different clades from Turkish firs. The results based on matK region suggest that all Turkish firs may have evolved from single ancestral fir species and the matK gene region appears to be highly conserved region in fir species.